Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for changeable weather to continue into next week. Low for extent of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

This evening forecast

Windy with spells of rain, heavy at times. Areas of cloud down to 600 to 900 metres. Strong to gale southwesterly summit winds. Freezing level above the summits.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

hazard 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.
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 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.

hazard 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.
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.

Mountain weather forecast

Cold and windy with wintry showers

Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Cloudy Sleet Heavy snow Heavy snow shower (day) Heavy snow shower (day) Heavy snow shower (day) Heavy snow Heavy snow
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
20% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 50% 50%

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 SW
40
SW
38
SW
44
SW
43
SW
43
SW
41
SW
38
SW
40
900m SW
25
SW
25
SW
30
SW
28
SW
29
SW
28
SW
26
SW
27
600m SW
17
SW
17
SW
17
SW
18
SW
20
SW
18
SW
16
SW
17
300m W
5
W
5
SW
6
SW
11
SW
14
W
13
W
9
W
9
Glen SW
4
SW
6
SW
6
W
10
W
14
W
14
SW
9
SW
8
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 47 46 53 52 53 51 47 50
900m 33 33 39 38 39 38 35 37
600m 32 32 33 34 36 34 31 32
300m 17 17 19 25 30 27 22 22
Glen 11 14 15 23 27 27 20 20

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
-1°
-2°
-2°
-2°
-2°
-2°
900m
600m
300m
Glen
Freezing Level
1,300m
1,100m
1,100m
900m
1,000m
900m
900m
800m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1100m
-8°
-9°
-10°
-11°
-12°
-11°
-12°
-12°
900m
-4°
-5°
-6°
-7°
-7°
-7°
-8°
-8°
600m
-1°
-2°
-3°
-3°
-3°
-3°
-4°
300m
Glen

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Be prepared for winter conditions on the higher tops with frequent snow showers, gales and severe wind chill. Progress will be slow with a risk of being blown over.

Weather

Variable amounts of cloud and blustery showers of hail, sleet and snow. Showers will be occasionally heavy, and most frequent across the west of the region. Fewer showers likely across Lochnagar.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

60%

Low cloud and visibility

Poor in showers. Poor in areas of cloud down to 850 metres, this most prevalent across the west of the area. Otherwise very good visibility with good air clarity.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Further sleet and snow showers during the morning, these frequent and occasionally heavy. Showers will die out during the afternoon. Rain, briefly preceded by higher summit snow, will spread northeast during the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

60%, best chance in the afternoon

Maximum wind speed expected

Westerly average speeds of 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph on the higher tops, easing through the afternoon

Temperature

  • At 800m Minus 1 Celsius, rising to plus 2 Celsius late evening
  • Glen Plus 1 rising to 7 Celsius
  • Freezing level 1000 metres, rising above summits late evening

Low cloud and visibility

Poor in snow showers. Poor in areas of cloud down to 850 metres, although this tending to become less prevalent through the afternoon.

Mountain weather information

Tue 24 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Rain for a short time in the early hours. Then a mostly cloudy day with occasional rain. Strong to gale summit southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits.

Wed 25 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Cloudy with spells of rain. Strong southwesterly winds easing. Freezing level above summits.

Thu 26 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Variable amounts of cloud and a chance of showers, wintry on the tops. Freezing level 1200 metres.

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