Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in unsettled weather continuing with strong winds at times.
This evening forecast
Overcast with widespread cloud down to 300-500m. Mostly dry to start but increasingly widespread outbreaks of rain, snow above 900-1000m. Strong southeasterly winds 35-45mph, gusting 50-60mph at times. Feeling bitterly cold.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy, rainy morning. Brighter afternoon. More rain evening. Windy.
| 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) |
70% | 80% | 90% | 80% | 30% | 10% | 70% | 90% |
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
55
|
SE
55
|
SE
45
|
SE
36
|
SE
38
|
SE
43
|
SE
49
|
SE
53
|
| 900m |
SE
39
|
SE
38
|
SE
30
|
SE
24
|
SE
28
|
SE
31
|
SE
35
|
SE
35
|
| 600m |
SE
24
|
SE
25
|
SE
19
|
SE
15
|
SE
18
|
SE
19
|
SE
23
|
SE
23
|
| 300m |
SE
12
|
SE
15
|
SE
14
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
SE
17
|
SE
17
|
| Glen |
SE
15
|
SE
15
|
SE
14
|
SE
11
|
SE
10
|
SE
12
|
SE
17
|
SE
19
|
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 | 65 | 66 | 54 | 43 | 46 | 53 | 61 | 65 |
| 900m | 48 | 48 | 39 | 31 | 36 | 41 | 46 | 48 |
| 600m | 40 | 43 | 33 | 26 | 31 | 34 | 41 | 41 |
| 300m | 28 | 33 | 31 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 36 | 37 |
| Glen | 31 | 33 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 26 | 36 | 40 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
1,000m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-13°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of 60-70mph will give very difficult walking conditions with progress highly impeded and a significant risk of being blown over, with a chance of gusts over 80mph over the very highest summits. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised. 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.
Weather
Widespread cloud with outbreaks of rain in the morning, heavy at times and falling as snow above 900m. Becoming largely dry with a few bright spells in the afternoon, though remaining quite overcast for many parts. Clouding over again through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, becoming quite heavy and persistent.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less in morning, rising to 60% in afternoon. No chance in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m in the morning with visibilities falling moderate or poor in light rain and hill fog. Cloud becoming reasonably broken through the afternoon with good visibilities, before becoming widespread again in the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Another dull day with widespread cloud and persistent heavy rain, increasingly falling as snow later through the day. Cold and very windy.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
No chance.
Maximum wind speed expected
East to southeast 45-55mph, gusting 70-80mph, perhaps over 90mph over the highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2C falling to Minus 2C.
- Glen Plus 6C to plus 2C.
- Freezing level 1200m falling to 500m.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities falling poor in hill fog and persistent heavy rain, later snow.
Mountain weather information
Fri 23 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying cloudy with widespread rain or summit snow. Strong east to southeast winds. Freezing level 500-700m.
Sat 24 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying cloudy frequent showery outbreaks of rain or summit snow. Strong east to southeast winds. Freezing level 500-700m.
Sun 25 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Similar to Saturday. Staying cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain or summit snow. Strong east to southeast winds. Freezing level 300-500m.
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