Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

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Yellow warning

Yellow weather warning in force for South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High confidence for unsettled weather and strong southeast winds. Low confidence in daily cloud and rain or summit snow details.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

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 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.
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.
Mountain hazards explained
Avalanche information for Scotland. Scottish Avalanche Information Service.

Mountain weather forecast

Cloudy morning, some rain. Brighter afternoon. Strengthening winds. Bitterly cold.

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Sleet Sleet Fog Fog Light snow Light snow
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
 70% 60% 10% 10% 20% 30%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m S
38
 SE
34
 SE
34
 SE
36
 SE
41
 SE
49
900m S
27
 SE
23
 SE
23
 SE
25
 SE
30
 SE
35
600m S
18
 SE
13
 SE
14
 SE
16
 SE
18
 SE
22
300m SE
5
 SE
6
 SE
7
 SE
9
 SE
8
 SE
12
Glen NE
4
 SE
6
 E
7
 SE
9
 SE
11
 SE
12
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m 44 39 40 44 50 60
900m 33 28 29 33 39 46
600m 30 25 25 29 33 39
300m 16 19 18 21 21 28
Glen 9 18 17 21 23 27

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
1°
0°
0°
-1°
-1°
-1°
900m
2°
2°
2°
1°
1°
1°
600m
3°
4°
3°
3°
3°
2°
300m
5°
5°
6°
5°
5°
5°
Glen
5°
5°
6°
6°
6°
6°
Freezing Level
1,200m
1,200m
1,200m
1,100m
1,000m
1,000m

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

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Note the strengthening winds through the day, with gusts over 60mph over the highest summits making walking extremely difficult on exposed ground with a high risk of being blown over. There will still be icy surfaces and lying snow at height so keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS). Feeling bitterly cold at height so suitable clothing is advised. Widespread low cloud throughout the day with make navigation extremely difficult.

Weather

Overcast through the morning with widespread cloud down to very low levels and outbreaks of rain. Becoming drier as this cloud lifts somewhat from late morning, though staying largely overcast. Further patchy light rain or drizzle through the evening. Strengthening southeast winds through the day.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Little to no chance.

Low cloud and visibility

Widespread cloud down to 100-200m in the morning, lifting slightly to 300-500m through the morning but staying widespread through the day.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Cloudy and windy in the morning with persistent and at times heavy rain, wintry above 800-900m. Drier with brighter spells and easing winds for a time in the early afternoon before more cloud, rain, and strong winds spread north through the evening. Rain heaviest and most persistent over Aberdeenshire and Angus hills. Feeling bitterly cold.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Little chance most of the day, rising 30% for a time in the early afternoon.

Maximum wind speed expected

Southeast backing east, 45-55mph, but 60-70mph over the highest summits with gusts around 90mph.

Temperature

  • At 800m 0C to plus 2C.
  • Glen Plus 4C to plus 7C.
  • Freezing level 1000-1200m morning, falling to 800m for a time, rising to 1200-1400m from late afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities poor in persistent rain, drizzle or hill fog.

Mountain weather information

Thu 22 Jan

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Overcast with persistent and at times heavy rain and hill snow. Freezing level falling to 400-600m. Very strong east to southeast winds.

Fri 23 Jan

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Staying with persistent and at times heavy rain or summit snow. Freezing level rising to 800m. Very strong east to southeast winds.

Sat 24 Jan

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Cloudy again with rain or summit snow. Freezing level around 800m. Very strong east to southeast winds.

Updated at:
Mountain weather explained

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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

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

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