Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled and relatively seasonally mild, but lowering of timing detail of the worst of the weather due to the mobile westerly patterns.
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.
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
Showers easing soon during morning. Periods of rain and snow for afternoon. Strong to gale force, summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 90% | 70% |
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
49
|
SW
39
|
S
41
|
S
47
|
S
39
|
SW
30
|
| 900m |
SW
33
|
SW
27
|
S
28
|
S
33
|
S
27
|
SW
21
|
| 600m |
SW
20
|
SW
20
|
S
17
|
S
23
|
S
19
|
SW
15
|
| 300m |
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
SW
7
|
SE
11
|
SE
12
|
SW
9
|
| Glen |
SW
10
|
SW
12
|
SW
7
|
S
6
|
SE
12
|
SW
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 56 | 46 | 50 | 57 | 48 | 37 |
| 900m | 40 | 34 | 37 | 43 | 37 | 28 |
| 600m | 34 | 35 | 32 | 39 | 34 | 26 |
| 300m | 24 | 29 | 19 | 26 | 27 | 19 |
| Glen | 25 | 27 | 17 | 20 | 27 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
700m
|
700m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-13°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Conditions becoming very difficult for the afternoon with extensive hill fog, summit snow and gales, winds bringing a severe wind chill effect.
Weather
Showers overnight and at first Thursday morning, focused in the west. Outbreaks dwindling by mid-morning, then cloud thickening from the southwest from late morning, bringing occasional rain, above around 800 to 1200m snow, for the afternoon. Rain and snow turning to showers during the evening with snow level lowering to 600m by midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
750% becoming 10-20% for the afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases becoming extensive from 600m later in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A day of showers, snow level 700-900m by day, and brighter spells. Outbreaks most frequent across western peaks such as Ben Lawers, chiefly late morning and early afternoon. Gale force summit winds bringing a severe wind chill at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75%
Maximum wind speed expected
West to southwest increasing mean 30-40mph by mid-morning with gusts 50-55mph across more exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Zero to plus 2 Celsius
- Glen Plus 3 Celsius increasing 8 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 800-1000m
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain showers, very poor in snow showers and within cloud with bases occasionally lowering 600m, particularly as showers push through.
Mountain weather information
Sat 20 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Fair start to the day. Showers developing for the afternoon, potentially turning heavy, with snow level 700-900m and strong to gale force summit winds.
Sun 21 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overcast with occasional rain, above 700m snow. Severe wind chill at height in strong summit winds.
Mon 22 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with patchy rain and snow. Snow level 600-800m. Severe wind chill at height in fresh summit winds.
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