Mountain weather

Mountain weather

South Grampian and Southeast Highlands

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Confidence

High confidence for settled weather on Sunday but otherwise largely unsettled with occasionally strong winds. Lower confidence for rainfall details on Monday, and for developments on Wednesday.

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

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.

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.

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.
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.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Rain, summit gales in morning. Showers afternoon, brighter evening. Chilly.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Heavy Rain Light rain showers Light rain showers Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
≥95%
80%
50%
30%
30%
10%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m S 61mph knots
S
61mph
 SW 46mph knots
SW
46mph
 W 41mph knots
W
41mph
 W 27mph knots
W
27mph
 W 19mph knots
W
19mph
 W 12mph knots
W
12mph
900m
 900m S 38mph knots
S
38mph
 SW 31mph knots
SW
31mph
 W 30mph knots
W
30mph
 W 20mph knots
W
20mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 9mph knots
W
9mph
600m
 600m S 24mph knots
S
24mph
 SW 21mph knots
SW
21mph
 W 21mph knots
W
21mph
 W 15mph knots
W
15mph
 W 9mph knots
W
9mph
 W 5mph knots
W
5mph
300m
 300m W 6mph knots
W
6mph
 SW 7mph knots
SW
7mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
 W 10mph knots
W
10mph
 NW 6mph knots
NW
6mph
 NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
Glen
 Glen SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
 SW 10mph knots
SW
10mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 10mph knots
W
10mph
 NW 6mph knots
NW
6mph
 W 4mph knots
W
4mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m 71mph 54mph 50mph 34mph 24mph 16mph
900m
 900m 49mph 39mph 39mph 27mph 18mph 12mph
600m
 600m 45mph 38mph 36mph 25mph 17mph 10mph
300m
 300m 17mph 21mph 28mph 21mph 13mph 11mph
Glen
 Glen 23mph 21mph 28mph 21mph 13mph 10mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1100m
 1100m -1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius
900m
 900m 2 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
600m
 600m 6 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 10 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
Glen
 Glen 10 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3200m
2600m
2600m
2600m
2300m
1900m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Walking will be extremely difficult on exposed ground in the morning with a high risk of being blown over in 60-70mph winds. Feeling cold at height and quite extensive low cloud in some places. Conditions much improved later in the day.

Weather

Rain spreads east in the early morning, heaviest and most persistent over ranges west of the A9, generally patchier over more sheltered Aberdeenshire and Angus Hills. This accompanied by widespread summit gales and some storm-force gusts over the highest summits. The worst of the rain clear by mid-morning, with some bright spells developing. Cloudier again in the west in the afternoon with some bright spells in the east. A few mainly light showers spread east through the rest of the afternoon, meanwhile winds will gradually ease. Becoming dry with largely clear summits in the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

30% or less in west in morning, 50% in afternoon. 75% in northeast. Rising to 80% or higher for all in evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Quite widespread cloud down to 700-900m in the west during the morning, and again in the afternoon, but clearer for a time around midday. Cloud falling to 500m for a time in the early morning with poor visibilities in rain. Generally clearer summits in the sheltered east. Cloud lifting and breaking for all through the late afternoon and evening to allow some good clear spells and visibilities.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

Including South and East Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeenshire and Angus Hills, Ben Vrackie, Ben Lawers, Loch Tay and Ochils

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