Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for unsettled weather with rain and strong winds at times, but low confidence for day to day details, especially from Monday.
This evening forecast
Dull and overcast with widespread cloud down to 300-400m and frequent outbreaks of snow, rain below 400-500m. Feeling bitterly cold with east to southeast winds 40-50mph.
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.
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.
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.
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
Dull, cloudy with persistent snow. Cold. Strong winds easing.
| 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) |
>95% | >95% | >95% | >95% | 90% | >95% | >95% | 80% |
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
37
|
SE
33
|
E
32
|
SE
33
|
SE
31
|
E
29
|
SE
27
|
SE
30
|
| 900m |
SE
19
|
SE
16
|
E
15
|
SE
17
|
SE
17
|
E
15
|
SE
15
|
SE
17
|
| 600m |
SE
11
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
SE
9
|
E
8
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
SE
8
|
| 300m |
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
E
5
|
E
6
|
| Glen |
E
7
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
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 | 45 | 41 | 39 | 40 | 37 | 35 | 33 | 37 |
| 900m | 27 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 24 |
| 600m | 22 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 |
| 300m | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
| Glen | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
700m
|
800m
|
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 |
-13°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Windy conditions with a chance of summit gales in the early morning will make for fairly arduous walking on exposed terrain with buffeting of clothing. Balance may be affected at times. Feeling cold at height so suitable clothing is advised. Widespread low cloud and hill fog with occasional blizzards, so good navigation skills will be required. Keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS). Underfoot conditions will be increasingly arduous as snow continues to build up.
Weather
A strong southeasterly flow will bring further rain heavy at times, falling as snow above 500-600m at first, rising to 800-900m by evening. Feeling cold with east to southeast winds gusting 40-50mph.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
No chance
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and poor visibilities in hill fog and frequent outbreaks of snow with blizzard conditions at times.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy throughout the day. Outbreaks of rain throughout the day, occasionally heavy, falling as snow above 900m or so. Remaining cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
No chance.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 25-40mph
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1C to plus 1C.
- Glen Plus 2C rising to plus 6C.
- Freezing level 900-1000m falling to 700-800m.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread areas of cloud down to 300-500m all day, with associated poor visibilities in hill fog and rain or summit snow.
Mountain weather information
Mon 2 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with frequent outbreaks of rain, or snow above 500-600m. Strong to gale southeast winds.
Tue 3 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with frequent showery outbreaks of snow. Freezing level around 200-400m. Strong to gale southeast winds.
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with persistent rain or summit snow. Freezing level around 400-600m. Strong to gale southeast winds.
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