Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for Monday. High for dry and settled weather for the rest of the week as high pressure becomes established.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

hazard 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.
hazard 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.

hazard 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.
hazard 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

Cold and rather cloudy with showers, wintry on the tops.

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Sleet Sleet Sleet Sleet Partly cloudy (night) Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
20% 50% 40% 30% 20% 20%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m W
15
NW
12
NE
6
SE
7
SE
13
E
17
900m W
5
NW
6
NE
6
SE
6
SE
9
E
11
600m W
5
NW
4
N
5
SE
5
SE
6
E
6
300m W
3
NW
5
N
4
E
6
SE
6
E
6
Glen W
5
NW
6
E
3
E
7
E
7
E
7
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m 18 13 9 10 17 21
900m 8 8 9 9 13 15
600m 8 6 7 8 11 12
300m 9 9 6 10 12 14
Glen 12 11 5 12 14 14

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
-2°
-2°
-1°
900m
600m
300m
Glen
10°
Freezing Level
800m
1,000m
1,100m
1,200m
1,200m
1,100m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
-8°
-7°
-4°
-3°
-5°
-7°
900m
-3°
-2°
-1°
-2°
-3°
600m
300m
Glen

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Be prepared for winter like conditions at height. Summit cloud will make for navigational difficulties at times.

Weather

Some clear or sunny intervals at first. Otherwise a mostly cloudy day with scattered showers breaking out, but Showers may turn briefly heavy at times in the afternoon. Expect sleet and snow above 900 metres.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

60%, best chance in the south of the area.

Low cloud and visibility

Poor in areas of cloud down to 750 to 1000 metres, this lowest and most extensive across the southern Cairngorms. Cloud higher and more broken in the south.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Cloudy in the early hours with a few wintry showers. Otherwise a dry day with cloud breaking to leave sunny intervals by afternoon. Cold, strong easterly summit winds.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

80%.

Maximum wind speed expected

Easterly 25 mph.

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 2 Celsius.
  • Glen Plus 4 rising to 11 Celsius.
  • Freezing level 1000 metres

Low cloud and visibility

Patchy cloud down to 850 to 1000 metres shrouding the higher summits at first. Little in the way of summit cloud by afternoon.

Mountain weather information

Wed 22 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Overnight low cloud across the north and east of the area will burn off through the morning. Otherwise it will be dry with sunny spells.

Thu 23 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Overnight low cloud burning off through the morning to leave a dry and bright day.

Fri 24 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Little change, remaining dry with some sunshine.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service