Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in largely settled conditions until later Friday. Likely more unsettled thereafter but low confidence in details.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
A dry day with prolonged sunshine. Cloudy in early morning.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
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
6
|
E
8
|
S
10
|
S
12
|
S
11
|
S
15
|
| 900m |
S
3
|
E
3
|
S
10
|
S
9
|
S
7
|
S
11
|
| 600m |
E
1
|
NE
2
|
S
7
|
S
6
|
SE
5
|
E
3
|
| 300m |
S
2
|
S
2
|
SE
7
|
SE
8
|
SE
6
|
E
2
|
| Glen |
W
2
|
SW
3
|
S
6
|
S
7
|
S
5
|
W
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 7 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 19 |
| 900m | 4 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 |
| 600m | 2 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 7 |
| 300m | 5 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 4 |
| Glen | 8 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
12°
|
15°
|
15°
|
12°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
13°
|
16°
|
16°
|
13°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
5°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
12°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Occasionally gusty conditions late in the evening will make for fairly arduous walking on exposed terrain with buffeting of clothing. Balance may be affected at times. Be prepared for strong sunshine and a risk of sunburn and dehydration on long hikes.
Weather
Areas of low cloud around low elevations in the early morning. Clearer skies over Aberdeenshire hills will allow some mist or fog patches to form in valleys, and perhaps a touch of frost. This all completely clear by mid morning to leave a dry and sunny day. Freshening winds later in the day. Some patches of cloud forming again over eastern ranges in the late evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75% in early morning, otherwise 90% or higher
Low cloud and visibility
Some early mist or fog patches in valleys soon clearing after dawn. Areas of cloud forming around 500 metres in the early morning, but the summits rising above the cloud layer. This largely clear by mid morning to leave clear summits and good visibilities.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry day with long spells of sunshine, but this turning hazy at times in the west with areas of high cloud. A few patches of low cloud around eastern ranges in the early morning.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% or higher
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 25-35 mph, easing to 15-20 mph in the afternoon.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 Celsius increasing to 9 Celsius.
- Glen 4 Celsius increasing to 18 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1200-1400m overnight, soon rising above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
A few patches of cloud around low elevations on eastern ranges in the early morning, the summits rising above the cloud later. Otherwise no low cloud and excellent visibility.
Mountain weather information
Fri 1 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry with hazy sunshine. Light winds and freezing level above summits.
Sat 2 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy and unsettled with a risk of scattered showers. Light winds and freezing level above summits.
Sun 3 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with a further risk of showers, though uncertainty in this aspect of the forecast. Light winds and freezing level above summits.
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