Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in largely dry and settled conditions with high pressure dominating until Monday, but lower confidence in cloud amounts.
This evening forecast
Extensive areas of low cloud down to 300-500m with visibilities poor in hill fog, though some higher summits will poke out above the cloud layer. Best of any limited chance of clearer summits over the northwest of the Southern Cairngorms. Light winds. Feeling cold so suitable clothing is advised.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dull, cloudy morning. Brighter afternoon. Chilly. Light winds.
| 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) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
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
11
|
SE
11
|
S
8
|
SE
6
|
W
6
|
E
7
|
N
8
|
N
9
|
| 900m |
SE
7
|
SE
6
|
S
6
|
SE
4
|
W
3
|
E
4
|
N
5
|
N
5
|
| 600m |
S
3
|
S
3
|
SW
3
|
S
2
|
W
3
|
SW
2
|
S
1
|
W
3
|
| 300m |
NW
1
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
W
3
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
| Glen |
W
2
|
SW
2
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
W
2
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
W
3
|
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 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 |
| 900m | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 600m | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 300m | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Glen | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
700m
|
800m
|
700m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
| Glen |
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling cold at height so suitable clothing required.
Weather
Widespread low cloud in the morning, though higher summits may poke out above the cloud layer. Cloud is likely to retreat through the day allowing good bright or sunny periods to develop. Feeling chilly at height. Light winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% or less, rising to 80%.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive areas of low cloud around 500m or lower in the morning and poor visibilities in hill fog, with higher summits rising above the cloud layer. Cloud gradually lifting and clearing through the day to leave largely clear summits and good visibilities by evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy in the Aberdeenshire Hills first thing in the morning as a weak front pushes south, with the odd spot of light rain and freshening winds. This spreads south to all other ranges through the morning, then gradually clearing from the north through the afternoon, allowing clear spells and variable cloud to return.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% as front goes through, 70% otherwise.
Maximum wind speed expected
East to Northeast 20-30mph, gusting 30-40mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C to plus 2C.
- Glen Minus 3C rising to plus 6C.
- Freezing level 1200m as front goes through. Falling to 600-800m by late evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite widespread low cloud down to 400m or lower as the front goes through with visibilities falling poor in hill fog. This cloud breaking up through the afternoon and evening with clear spells developing but still some patches of cloud around.
Mountain weather information
Sun 28 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with variable cloud and clear or sunny spells. Cold with freezing level around 300-500m. Light and variable winds.
Mon 29 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry, bright spells in Perthshire Hills, Ochils and eastern Trossachs. Variable cloud and a few light showers in northeast, wintry above 800-1000m. Light to moderate northerly winds.
Tue 30 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Variable cloud and a few showers, wintry above 800-1000m. Staying mainly dry and bright in Perthshire Hills, Ochils and eastern Trossachs. Light to moderate northerly 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