Mountain weather

Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

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Confidence

High confidence for the general evolution and for changeable weather.

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

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.
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.

Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Gales. Heavy showers, some thunder. Some drier, brighter spells in early evening.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Light rain
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
80%
90%
≥95%
≥95%
80%
60%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m SW 44mph knots
SW
44mph
 SW 42mph knots
SW
42mph
 W 38mph knots
W
38mph
 W 36mph knots
W
36mph
 NW 38mph knots
NW
38mph
 NW 32mph knots
NW
32mph
900m
 900m SW 28mph knots
SW
28mph
 SW 31mph knots
SW
31mph
 W 28mph knots
W
28mph
 W 26mph knots
W
26mph
 NW 24mph knots
NW
24mph
 NW 20mph knots
NW
20mph
600m
 600m SW 19mph knots
SW
19mph
 SW 21mph knots
SW
21mph
 W 20mph knots
W
20mph
 W 18mph knots
W
18mph
 NW 16mph knots
NW
16mph
 NW 13mph knots
NW
13mph
300m
 300m SW 10mph knots
SW
10mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 12mph knots
W
12mph
 NW 11mph knots
NW
11mph
 NW 9mph knots
NW
9mph
Glen
 Glen SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
 SW 15mph knots
SW
15mph
 SW 15mph knots
SW
15mph
 W 11mph knots
W
11mph
 NW 10mph knots
NW
10mph
 NW 7mph knots
NW
7mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m 51mph 52mph 47mph 44mph 47mph 40mph
900m
 900m 35mph 40mph 37mph 35mph 33mph 28mph
600m
 600m 34mph 37mph 34mph 31mph 30mph 25mph
300m
 300m 26mph 27mph 27mph 27mph 27mph 24mph
Glen
 Glen 16mph 29mph 30mph 26mph 25mph 21mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m -4 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius
900m
 900m 0 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius
600m
 600m 4 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Glen
 Glen 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1500m
1700m
1800m
1900m
1800m
1800m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Walking will be extremely difficult on exposed ground with a high risk of being blown over. These strong winds combined with low temperatures at height will bring significant wind chill and drenching conditions at times.

Weather

Some heavy showers and clear spells in the early hours. These showers becoming frequent by dawn with the best chance of any limited clear, dry spells in the sheltered northeast. A small a chance of hail and lightning and widespread gales, with a chance of storm force gusts on the tops in the morning. Heavy showers continue and spread to all parts in the afternoon. Some brighter spells developing over southern ranges in the early evening as showers become less heavy. Showers persisting over Aberdeenshire and Angus hills through the evening but lighter than during the morning. Winds gradually moderate through the second part of the day. Feeling cold at height.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

30% much of the day, rising to 60% over northeast range in the morning and then southern ranges in the evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Cloud frequently falling down to 800-1000m with visibilities falling poor in hill fog and heavy rain as heavy showers pass through, best chance of clearer spells in the morning over the sheltered northeast, and then for southern ranges through the evening. Cloud becomes more widespread down to 600-800m over Aberdeenshire and Angus hills later through the evening.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

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

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