Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the general forecast with occasional wet, wintry and windy weather interspersed with sunny spells. Low confidence for timing of fronts Tuesday, and details for Wednesday
This evening forecast
Scattered snow showers feed in from the west with a small chance of hail and lightning at times. Clear summits and good visibilities at times between showers but cloud bases down to around 600-800m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as showers pass through. Strong west to southwest winds 35-45mph, gusting 50-60mph at times over the very highest summits.
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.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
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.
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
Cloud and snow early morning. Then scattered snow showers, more isolated by evening. Gales. Cold.
| 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) |
60% | 80% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 30% | 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
42
|
SW
51
|
W
42
|
W
46
|
W
41
|
W
47
|
W
38
|
W
34
|
| 900m |
SW
27
|
SW
33
|
W
29
|
W
34
|
W
30
|
W
34
|
W
27
|
W
22
|
| 600m |
SW
18
|
SW
22
|
W
20
|
W
24
|
W
22
|
W
25
|
W
18
|
W
15
|
| 300m |
SW
12
|
SW
12
|
W
9
|
W
17
|
W
15
|
W
18
|
W
14
|
W
10
|
| Glen |
W
10
|
SW
13
|
W
10
|
W
18
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
W
14
|
W
10
|
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 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 56 | 51 | 57 | 47 | 41 |
| 900m | 35 | 42 | 37 | 44 | 40 | 45 | 35 | 29 |
| 600m | 34 | 39 | 34 | 40 | 37 | 42 | 31 | 27 |
| 300m | 28 | 29 | 24 | 36 | 32 | 38 | 32 | 21 |
| Glen | 25 | 29 | 25 | 37 | 34 | 35 | 30 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
200m
|
500m
|
300m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-17°
|
-18°
|
-15°
|
-17°
|
-16°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
| 900m |
-12°
|
-13°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Glen |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gale-force winds will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Navigation will be challenging at times in temporary blizzard conditions in showers. Feeling bitterly cold at height especially when combined with strong winds so suitable clothing is advised. Lying snow will make for tricky conditions underfoot so suitable footwear is advised. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
Weather
A band of widespread cloud and snow crosses in the early hours, clearing east around or just after dawn. Then scattered showers the rest of the morning, wintry down to 200-300m, with a small chance of hail and lightning. These showers gradually becoming more isolated through the afternoon, becoming mainly dry and clear in evening. Staying driest in the sheltered Aberdeenshire an Angus hills. Strong winds with summit gales and gusty showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance early morning. 50% late morning, rising to 75% by evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and poor visibilities in hill fog and snow in the early morning. Thereafter, clear summits and good visibilities at times between showers, increasingly so later through the day, but cloud bases will fall down to around 600-800m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Widespread low cloud and rain or summit snow spreads east in the morning, only very limited chance of drier, clearer conditions towards Aberdeenshire Hills. This clears around midday, then scattered snow showers with a few bright spells in-between, with a very small chance of hail and lightning. Bitterly cold with occasional gale-force winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less in morning, best chances in northeast. Otherwise 40%.
Maximum wind speed expected
South-southwest in morning veering west-northwest, gusting 50-60mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C, rising to plus 2C for a time.
- Glen Plus 3C rising to plus 9C.
- Freezing level 200-400m, rising to 1000-1200m for a time in the morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and poor visibilities in hill fog and rain or summit snow in the morning. Thereafter, some clear summits and good visibilities at times between showers, but cloud bases will fall down to around 600-800m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered snow showers in morning, becoming isolated in afternoon. Cloud and patchy rain from west in evening. Strong winds. Freezing level 600m rising well above summits later.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud, patchy drizzle west, drier brighter east. Milder. Freezing level above summits. Fresh winds.
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence. Likely cloud and rain in morning, perhaps drier later. Less windy.
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