Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in staying cold. Moderate confidence for details on Sunday, low confidence in details from Monday.
This evening forecast
Dry to start the evening with widespread high-level cloud. Some patches of cloud down to 300-500m, this becoming largely widespread through the evening and visibilities falling poor in outbreaks of snow spreading east through the late evening, with blizzard conditions at times. Staying largely dry with cloud more broken in shelter to the northeast around the Aberdeenshire Hills. Strengthening southerly winds reaching 40-50mph, gusting up to 60-70mph in places.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Snow showers morning, persistent snow afternoon. Dry evening. 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) |
80% | 90% | 60% | 40% | 70% | 90% | 60% | 20% |
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 |
S
57
|
S
58
|
S
33
|
SW
29
|
S
28
|
S
22
|
SW
13
|
SW
17
|
| 900m |
S
35
|
S
44
|
S
25
|
SW
21
|
S
19
|
S
16
|
SW
10
|
SW
12
|
| 600m |
S
16
|
S
28
|
S
13
|
SW
9
|
SW
10
|
S
5
|
SW
4
|
SW
8
|
| 300m |
SE
4
|
E
6
|
S
5
|
SW
2
|
S
3
|
SE
3
|
NW
2
|
SW
3
|
| Glen |
S
6
|
SW
4
|
SW
7
|
W
4
|
SW
4
|
W
3
|
W
3
|
W
3
|
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 | 66 | 69 | 40 | 35 | 33 | 28 | 16 | 21 |
| 900m | 44 | 55 | 32 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 13 | 16 |
| 600m | 33 | 48 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 13 |
| 300m | 13 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 9 |
| Glen | 19 | 21 | 20 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
4°
|
4°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
200m
|
100m
|
200m
|
600m
|
700m
|
600m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-18°
|
-19°
|
-14°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-14°
|
-15°
|
-11°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 600m |
-9°
|
-11°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-4°
|
| Glen |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gales with gusts 60-70mph in the early hours will mean walking will be extremely difficult on exposed ground with a high risk of being blown over, winds will have eased notably by dawn. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised. Check the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).
Weather
Persistent snow, widespread low cloud, and summit gales in the early hours, clearing shortly before dawn. Then in the rest of the morning bright or clear spells towards Aberdeenshire Hills, but cloudier with a few showers in the west. More persistent snow spreads east through the afternoon, heavy at times. Becoming dry again in the evening with clear spells developing. Feeling bitterly cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, best chances for Aberdeenshire Hills in morning and again in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Through the early morning and again in the afternoon there will be widespread cloud down to 300m or so and poor visibilities in persistent snow and blizzard conditions when combined with strong winds. Cloud becomes well broken in the morning and again the evening, though still with patches around 500-700m. Good visibilities outwith cloud and snow.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Low confidence in exact details but likely remaining bitterly cold with further snow. Mostly dry through the morning with just a few snow showers from the north. Winds veer northerly to allow further showers or perhaps longer spells of snow from the north later in the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%
Maximum wind speed expected
West veering northwest, then north; increasing to 30-40mph. Chance of gale-force winds later in the day.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C to minus 5C.
- Glen Minus 1C to plus 4C.
- Freezing level 500m falling to 200m.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud down to 500-700m with good visibilities between showers. Cloud becomes temporarily and rapidly widespread and visibilities falling poor as showers or more organised bands of snow pass through. Chance of quite widespread cloud down to 300-500m in any organised bands of snow.
Mountain weather information
Tue 17 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with bright spells. A few snow showers possible at first. Cold. Freezing level around 100-200m. Strong northerly winds at first, becoming light.
Wed 18 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and cold. Bright spells, becoming cloudier. Freezing level around 200m. Strong southeast winds.
Thu 19 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with bright spells and variable cloud. Cold. Freezing level around 200m. Fresh southeast winds becoming lighter.
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