Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Low confidence in chance of heavy rain Wednesday morning. Otherwise, generally high confidence. Main uncertainties around chance of thunder from any heavy showers on Wednesday and Thursday, and details over the weekend.
This evening forecast
Slow moving showers, occasionally heavy, may spread into the western Cairngorms and Perthshire hills. Otherwise a dry but cloudy evening and start to the night. Moderate winds across the tops.
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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Chance of heavy rain to start. Then sunshine and heavy showers, a risk of thunder.
| 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) |
20% | 20% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 10% |
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 |
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
N
4
|
N
7
|
NW
14
|
NW
14
|
NW
14
|
W
15
|
| 900m |
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
N
4
|
N
6
|
NW
9
|
NW
11
|
NW
10
|
W
9
|
| 600m |
SE
2
|
W
3
|
NE
3
|
NW
4
|
NW
8
|
N
7
|
NW
6
|
W
6
|
| 300m |
S
3
|
W
3
|
SW
2
|
N
3
|
W
6
|
NE
5
|
NW
3
|
W
4
|
| Glen |
NW
3
|
NW
2
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
NE
6
|
S
5
|
NW
4
|
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 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| 900m | 7 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
| 600m | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| 300m | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| Glen | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Highest thunder risk around midday and early afternoon, although cannot be ruled out early morning.
Weather
Showers are likely to developing into an area of heavy rain through the early hours or around dawn, giving a risk of thunder. This clears continues into the morning, before clearing east late morning or perhaps around midday. Scattered heavy showers then break out more widely across all ranges in the afternoon with a risk of thunder. Showers continue into early evening before dying out late evening, to leave clear skies to start the night.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 95% or more, but 30% early morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally very good or excellent visibility with cloud bases mostly above the summits. However, cloud bases likely to be around 600-700m around dawn, perhaps not lifting until mid-late morning.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry with clear skies in the early hours. Cloud spreads east around dawn with outbreaks of rain following during the morning. Rain turns to scattered heavy showers by the afternoon with a slight risk of thunder. Showers merge to longer spells of rain in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 20 gusting 30 mph increasing to 30 gusting 45 mph in the afternoon, occasionally 50 mph late evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 Celsius rising to 11 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 8 Celsius rising to 14 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Variable visibility, occasionally falling poor as cloud lowers to 700-800m at times, but cloud bases often 900-1000m and occasionally above the summits.
Mountain weather information
Fri 4 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Strengthening southwest winds with a risk of summit gales. Cloudy with patchy rain at times, most persistent across western ranges.
Sat 5 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Strong winds and a risk of summit gales to start, and generally cloudy with some patchy rain possible. Likely to turn drier and brighter with lighter winds later, but low confidence for this.
Sun 6 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining unsettled with rain or showers likely, perhaps heavy at times. Winds likely to be lighter, but large uncertainty in details.
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