Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the broad forecast with occasional cold, wet and windy weather interspersed with sunny spells.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with some outbreaks of patchy light rain pushing east through the evening. Cloud quite extensive with widespread poor visibilities in rain or drizzle and hill fog with widespread cloud down to 300-500m. Best chance of drier weather and clearer summits in the more sheltered northeast of the Aberdeenshire Hills. Strong southerly veering southwesterly winds, 30-40mph.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mostly dry morning with sunny spells. Some snow showers in afternoon. Windy. 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) |
50% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | 60% | 40% | 60% |
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 |
SW
41
|
W
32
|
W
34
|
W
30
|
W
31
|
W
31
|
W
36
|
SW
40
|
| 900m |
SW
24
|
W
21
|
W
21
|
W
23
|
W
24
|
W
23
|
W
24
|
SW
26
|
| 600m |
SW
12
|
W
13
|
W
14
|
W
16
|
W
16
|
W
14
|
W
16
|
SW
16
|
| 300m |
W
7
|
W
5
|
W
3
|
W
10
|
W
13
|
W
13
|
W
12
|
W
11
|
| Glen |
W
4
|
SW
6
|
SW
4
|
SW
11
|
W
12
|
W
14
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
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 | 48 | 38 | 39 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 44 | 48 |
| 900m | 31 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 35 |
| 600m | 26 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 31 |
| 300m | 18 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 |
| Glen | 15 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 24 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
2°
|
6°
|
8°
|
5°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
6°
|
3°
|
7°
|
9°
|
7°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,100m
|
700m
|
700m
|
700m
|
600m
|
400m
|
300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-6°
|
-9°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-12°
|
-15°
|
-16°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-5°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-10°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
-3°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
2°
|
5°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
4°
|
6°
|
3°
|
1°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of over 40mph will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance. Combined with blowing snow showers, navigation will be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Lying snow or ice will mean suitable footwear is advised. Spells of sunlight - especially in the morning - will bring a risk of glare of the lying snow pack. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
Weather
Thursday night's rain will clear through the early hours allowing dry and increasingly clear conditions to develop by dawn. Mostly dry with bright or sunny spells in the morning, but the chance of the odd shower in the west, wintry above 600m or so. Bright spells and a few snow showers later, becoming quite frequent for a time in the afternoon. Meanwhile the freezing level falls, bringing snow down to 200-300m. Strengthening winds with a chance of summit gales later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75% in the morning, 50% later
Low cloud and visibility
Clear periods with good visibilities at times, but cloud bases falling to 600-800m and visibilities rapidly falling poor as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Bright spells and scattered snow showers, becoming quite frequent and heavy for a time in the early morning. Showers becoming less frequent through the evening. Cold and very windy with summit gales.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chances in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
West to northwest, gusting 45-55mph over the highest summits, easing through the day.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 3C to minus 1C.
- Glen Plus 3C rising to plus 7C.
- Freezing level 400-700m.
Low cloud and visibility
Clear periods with good visibilities at times, but cloud bases falling to 600-800m and visibilities rapidly falling poor as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Sun 29 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud, rain, and summit snow in the morning. Then frequent snow showers. Strong to gale-force winds. Freezing level 1000m falling to 600m.
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Frequent snow showers in morning. Bright spells and the odd snow shower later. Strong winds easing later. Freezing level 500m rising to 800m.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Widespread cloud and outbreaks of rain pushing east. Strengthening winds. Freezing level rising well above summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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