Mountain weather

Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

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Confidence

High for the overall evolution. Low for details of the rain clearing on Wednesday.

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.

Severe Chill Effect
Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia.
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.

Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Strong winds, some showers morning. Dry, bright through afternoon.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Light rain showers (night) Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Cloudy
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
60%
30%
10%
10%
10%
10%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m W 52mph knots
W
52mph
 W 40mph knots
W
40mph
 W 40mph knots
W
40mph
 W 28mph knots
W
28mph
 W 27mph knots
W
27mph
 W 24mph knots
W
24mph
900m
 900m W 33mph knots
W
33mph
 W 29mph knots
W
29mph
 W 32mph knots
W
32mph
 W 23mph knots
W
23mph
 W 19mph knots
W
19mph
 W 15mph knots
W
15mph
600m
 600m W 22mph knots
W
22mph
 W 21mph knots
W
21mph
 W 24mph knots
W
24mph
 W 18mph knots
W
18mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
 W 12mph knots
W
12mph
300m
 300m W 12mph knots
W
12mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 W 16mph knots
W
16mph
 W 11mph knots
W
11mph
 W 7mph knots
W
7mph
 W 4mph knots
W
4mph
Glen
 Glen W 12mph knots
W
12mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 6mph knots
W
6mph
 W 4mph knots
W
4mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m 60mph 47mph 49mph 36mph 33mph 31mph
900m
 900m 41mph 36mph 41mph 30mph 25mph 21mph
600m
 600m 39mph 33mph 38mph 29mph 24mph 22mph
300m
 300m 27mph 24mph 29mph 23mph 17mph 14mph
Glen
 Glen 28mph 28mph 28mph 27mph 15mph 13mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m -7 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius
900m
 900m -2 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius
600m
 600m 2 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 7 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Glen
 Glen 8 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1400m
1400m
1600m
1600m
1500m
1400m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Unpleasant conditions at first and feeling bitterly cold with showers and widespread strong winds giving difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance, whilst navigation could be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Much better conditions in the afternoon but still quite chilly.

Weather

Scattered showers mostly over western ranges such as Perthshire Hills, Ben Vorlich and Ben Vrackie in the early morning, heavy at times, staying largely dry in the sheltered east towards Aberdeenshire Hills. Also in the early morning there will be gales with a chance of storm-force gusts over the highest summits. Showers and strong winds gradually easing for all ranges after dawn, becoming largely dry in the afternoon with good sunny spells. Some high level cloud spilling east later in the day.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

At first 30% west of A9, 70% east. Rising to 75% or higher for all by afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Cloud becoming quite widespread down to 800-1000m in the morning and visibilities falling moderate or poor as showers pass through with some clearer spells in-between. In the afternoon and evening cloud will generally be above summits with some good clear spells developing but still the odd patch of cloud around 900-1100m possible.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

Including South and East Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeenshire and Angus Hills, Ben Vrackie, Ben Lawers, Loch Tay and Ochils

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