Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a generally unsettled few days with heavy rain or showers at times. Low for details of any timings.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Poor Visibility
Poor visibility presents challenging route finding conditions. Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references, especially on featureless moors or plateaux. Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Rain spreading west, turning persistent and often heavy.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | 10% | 20% | 80% | 80% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SE
27
|
SE
19
|
SE
21
|
SE
23
|
SE
27
|
SE
27
|
| 900m |
SE
17
|
SE
16
|
SE
17
|
SE
18
|
SE
22
|
SE
21
|
| 600m |
SE
5
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
SE
10
|
| 300m |
S
2
|
NE
3
|
SE
7
|
SE
6
|
E
5
|
E
6
|
| Glen |
SE
1
|
E
3
|
E
3
|
E
4
|
E
3
|
NE
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 33 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 35 | 36 |
| 900m | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 27 | 26 |
| 600m | 6 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
| 300m | 4 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 |
| Glen | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
13°
|
| 600m |
14°
|
16°
|
17°
|
16°
|
16°
|
15°
|
| 300m |
15°
|
18°
|
21°
|
18°
|
17°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
14°
|
20°
|
22°
|
20°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
3,100m
|
3,100m
|
3,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 600m |
13°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
15°
|
18°
|
20°
|
18°
|
17°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
15°
|
20°
|
22°
|
20°
|
18°
|
16°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Some uncertainty in timing of rain spreading west. Heavy persistent rain could result in some flooding of paths and access roads, mainly in the Cairngorms, with water courses likely to rise rapidly, making river crossings hazardous.
Weather
Dry with some sunny intervals this morning. Outbreaks of rain may affect Strathdon from late morning. Outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain spread west in the afternoon, most persistent across the Cairngorms with perhaps some thunder. Rain continuing through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% much of the morning, falling to 10% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Often good visibility in morning with patchy cloud above 800-1000m. Visibility falling to poor or very poor in rain, with cloud turning persistent above 900m, often patches down to 700m.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Outbreaks of rain will continue through the early hours and much of Sunday, this often light, but with some heavy, perhaps thundery showers also possible. Turning drier in the evening with just some patchy drizzle.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%
Maximum wind speed expected
East or Southeast 15-20 gusting 25-30 mph, easing to 15 mph in the evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 12 Celsius rising to 15 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 15 Celsius rising to 21 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally very poor visibility in extensive low cloud, bases 700-900m, although cloud occasionally lifting to 1000m.
Mountain weather information
Mon 21 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy showers breaking out, likely thundery at times, but turning dry in the evening.
Tue 22 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further showers, heavy at times, perhaps merging to longer spells of rain later in the day. Light winds
Wed 23 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and heavy showers.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Includes the northern and western Cairngorms National Park, Monadhliath, Ben Alder, Creag Meagaidh, Loch Ericht and Loch Rannoch.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service