Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High confidence for little change to the general pattern over the coming week, driest conditions remain in the west.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

hazard 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.
hazard 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.

hazard Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
hazard Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
hazard 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.

Mountain weather forecast

Cloudy with snow showers becoming persistent. Strengthening southeast summit winds.

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Sleet Heavy snow Heavy snow Heavy snow Heavy snow Heavy snow
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
40% 70% 80% 80% 70% 60%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m SE
19
SE
22
SE
29
SE
32
E
31
E
34
900m SE
8
SE
10
SE
16
SE
17
E
16
E
19
600m SE
4
SE
5
SE
8
E
9
E
8
E
9
300m E
2
E
3
E
7
E
8
E
8
E
8
Glen NE
3
E
4
E
8
E
9
E
10
E
9
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m 24 28 37 39 38 42
900m 13 15 24 24 22 27
600m 11 12 18 19 17 20
300m 7 9 15 17 19 20
Glen 7 10 17 19 20 19

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
-2°
-2°
-2°
-3°
-3°
-4°
900m
-1°
-2°
-2°
600m
-1°
300m
Glen
Freezing Level
800m
900m
800m
600m
500m
500m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
-9°
-9°
-10°
-12°
-13°
-14°
900m
-4°
-5°
-6°
-8°
-8°
-10°
600m
-1°
-1°
-3°
-4°
-4°
-5°
300m
-2°
-2°
Glen
-1°
-2°

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Strengthening winds make it feel bitterly cold to low levels. Low cloud and blizzard conditions will make navigation extremely difficult.

Weather

Widespread low cloud will return in a strengthening southeast wind. Showery rain will fall as snow above 900m at first lowering to 600m during the afternoon.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Little chance.

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive cloud down to 300-400m. The visibility will fall poor in hill fog or snow with blizzard conditions developing at times in persistent snow and strong winds.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Cloudy with persistent outbreaks of snow and continuing strong southeast winds.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

little chance.

Maximum wind speed expected

Southeast 35-40mph gust 55mph

Temperature

  • At 800m Minus 4C.
  • Glen Minus 1C rising plus 3C.
  • Freezing level 200m.

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive cloud down to 300-400m. The visibility will fall poor in hill fog or snow with blizzard conditions developing at times in persistent snow and strong winds.

Mountain weather information

Wed 4 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Snow, persistent at times. Strong east summit wind falling moderate later. Freezing level 200m, rising 900m later.

Thu 5 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Showers or longer periods of snow. Near gale east summit wind. Freezing level 900m lowering 200m later.

Fri 6 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Continuing persistent snow to low levels. Near gale east summit wind. Freezing level 200-300m.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service