Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in generally unsettled conditions. Low confidence in details Wednesday and Friday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Dry northeast. Heavy showers morning. Dry from late afternoon. Rain late evening.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
80% | 70% | 50% | 30% | 10% | 50% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
SW
46
|
SW
44
|
W
40
|
W
35
|
SW
23
|
SW
15
|
| 900m |
SW
29
|
SW
28
|
W
26
|
W
22
|
SW
15
|
SW
13
|
| 600m |
SW
20
|
SW
17
|
W
18
|
W
15
|
SW
12
|
SW
5
|
| 300m |
W
5
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
12
|
W
4
|
SE
2
|
| Glen |
W
7
|
W
12
|
W
12
|
W
12
|
SW
4
|
W
4
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 52 | 51 | 48 | 43 | 28 | 19 |
| 900m | 36 | 35 | 34 | 30 | 21 | 17 |
| 600m | 35 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 21 | 12 |
| 300m | 20 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 14 | 4 |
| Glen | 20 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 11 | 8 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
8°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
2°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of 40-55mph in the morning will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance. Navigation could be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Feeling cold at height so suitable clothing is advised. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS). Underfoot conditions may still be quite icy at moderate elevations with ongoing thaw of snow.
Weather
Scattered showers feed in from the west through the morning, falling as snow above 900-1000m, and heavy at times. Best of the dry, bright conditions in the more sheltered northeast towards the Aberdeenshire Hills. These showers will die out through the afternoon, becoming mostly dry for all around dusk. Then cloud and rain spread in from the southwest through the late evening. Strong winds in the morning will ease through the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
In morning: 40% southwest, 70% northeast. Rising 80% for all by dusk. Falling 20% or less in the southwest late evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite extensive areas of cloud down to 500-700m and visibilities falling poor as showers pass through in the morning. Clear breaks between showers in the morning, especially in the sheltered northeast, these becoming widespread and prolonged through the afternoon with only patches of cloud around summit height. Cloud becomes extensive again in the southwest through the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rain clears north in the early hours. Then dry during the rest of the day. Quite widespread cloud for most ranges through the day, but bright spells in the sheltered northeast. Further rain may spread east in the evening. Strong winds. A touch milder than Monday, but still cold at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 25%, but 75% in sheltered northeast.
Maximum wind speed expected
South to southwest 35-45mph, gusting 50-60mph possible at height.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2C to plus 5C.
- Glen Plus 5C rising to plus 11C.
- Freezing level 1400-1600m rising well above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite extensive cloud down to 400-600m with poor visibilities in hill fog, though the very highest summits may poke out above the cloud layer. Low cloud will be much more broken in the sheltered northeast with summits clearer and good visibilities.
Mountain weather information
Wed 25 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud and rain, clearing later in the day. Freezing level above summits falling to 1000-1200m or so later. Strong southerly winds easing.
Thu 26 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain or showers, heavy at times. Strong southwest winds. Freezing level around 1000-1200m.
Fri 27 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain in the morning, then showers, heavy at times. Strong southwest winds veer northwest. Freezing level around 1000-1200m falling to 600m or so later
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