Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
An unsettled week with a wet start on Monday, rain mostly clearing and some brighter, drier weather on Tuesday and Wednesday with some stronger winds at times. Freezing level mostly around 800-1000m so no significant snow accumulations likely. The main uncertainties will be around timing of rain and showers.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Heavy rain clearing east in the morning, bright for a time. Cloud and rain in the afternoon and evening.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
80% | 60% | 40% | 60% | 70% | 80% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
S
37
|
SW
29
|
SW
20
|
SW
9
|
SE
11
|
SE
17
|
| 900m |
S
27
|
SW
20
|
SW
13
|
SW
6
|
SE
9
|
SE
11
|
| 600m |
S
23
|
SW
11
|
SW
5
|
SW
3
|
SE
5
|
SE
4
|
| 300m |
SE
7
|
NW
2
|
N
2
|
SW
3
|
N
2
|
N
3
|
| Glen |
S
9
|
W
3
|
W
2
|
S
4
|
N
3
|
NW
2
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 44 | 34 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 21 |
| 900m | 34 | 26 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 15 |
| 600m | 37 | 21 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| 300m | 14 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Glen | 24 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,400m
|
1,200m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Freezing level will rise above all summits but there may still be cold air mixed in for a time, it then begins to fall again during the day with a cold feel during the afternoon.
Weather
Rain will clear most areas in the early morning with cloud beginning to lift and clear during the morning leaving a brighter afternoon for a time. Hill fog may be slow to clear. Further rain will spread north later in the afternoon, especially for more southern hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10%, rising to 70% for a time in late morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of broken or overcast cloud above 200m can be expected in the morning especially in the west around Loch Tay munros, perhaps bases higher in the east initially. Low cloud will slowly lift and clear during the morning leaving just patches above 800m by lunchtime. During the afternoon cloud will becomes widespread again. Visibility will be poor at the start of the day and again from mid-afternoon in any rain or drizzle, this will improve for a time during the morning.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A few showers possible during the day, falling as snow above 900m but otherwise dry with some sunny spells, some persistent low cloud around hills at times, feeling very cold on the hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75%, some low cloud covering summits at times, especially in the west.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 20-25mph with gusts 30-35 mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 Celsius
- Glen Plus 2 rising to 6 Celsius.
- Freezing level 900m
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud will be more prevalent in the west with scattered layers above 600m shrouding summits at times, further east just patchy cloud above 800m. Visibility generally very good but falling moderate or poor in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Wed 3 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with some bright spells, feeling cold with freezing level around 900m. Fresh or strong southwesterly winds.
Thu 4 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Quite cloudy but mainly dry, rain spreading east later in the day with freezing level rising to around 1300m. Fresh southeasterly winds.
Fri 5 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Turning colder again but mostly dry with mainly light southeasterly winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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