Mountain weather
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.
This evening forecast
Mostly dry with clear skies at first but widespread cloud down to even 100-200m feeds in from the east through the evening with visibilities falling poor in hill fog. Feeling bitterly cold at height with strengthening southeast winds, gusting 35-45mph over the highest summits.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy morning, some rain. Brighter afternoon. Strengthening winds. Bitterly cold.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
SE
29
|
SE
29
|
SE
31
|
S
36
|
S
31
|
SE
35
|
SE
42
|
SE
47
|
| 900m |
SE
19
|
SE
17
|
SE
20
|
S
25
|
S
22
|
SE
25
|
SE
31
|
SE
34
|
| 600m |
SE
7
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
S
16
|
S
12
|
SE
14
|
SE
19
|
SE
20
|
| 300m |
E
3
|
E
4
|
E
4
|
SE
8
|
S
7
|
SE
7
|
SE
7
|
SE
13
|
| Glen |
E
4
|
E
4
|
E
5
|
E
6
|
E
5
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 33 | 33 | 37 | 42 | 37 | 43 | 52 | 59 |
| 900m | 23 | 21 | 25 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 40 | 45 |
| 600m | 15 | 14 | 19 | 28 | 22 | 26 | 33 | 37 |
| 300m | 5 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 28 |
| Glen | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 22 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
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.
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:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
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