Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in unsettled weather continuing. High confidence in colder temperatures from midweek but low confidence in timing.
This evening forecast
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m or so throughout the evening with associated poor visibilities in hill fog. Mainly dry at first barring the odd outbreak of light rain or drizzle, but rain soon becoming widespread and persistent with heavier outbreaks at times. Strong easterly winds generally 25-35mph, but gusting around 45mph or so at times. Freezing level around 1200m with a severe wind chill at height.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy. Persistent rain in morning, occasionally heavy. Drier spells possible later.
| 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) |
>95% | >95% | 90% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 50% | 50% |
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 |
SE
32
|
SE
34
|
SE
33
|
SE
28
|
S
30
|
S
27
|
S
24
|
S
23
|
| 900m |
SE
19
|
SE
18
|
SE
19
|
SE
17
|
S
19
|
S
19
|
S
17
|
S
16
|
| 600m |
SE
7
|
SE
7
|
SE
8
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
S
9
|
S
7
|
S
7
|
| 300m |
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
SE
6
|
SE
6
|
SE
4
|
SE
4
|
| Glen |
E
6
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
SE
7
|
SE
6
|
E
6
|
S
3
|
SE
4
|
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 | 38 | 41 | 40 | 35 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 29 |
| 900m | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 21 |
| 600m | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
| 300m | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 12 |
| Glen | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of 40-50mph over the very highest summits 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. Heavy persistent rain in the morning will lead to soaking conditions, with conditions underfoot becoming challenging so suitable clothing is advised. Risk of some localised flooding.
Weather
Organised bands of rain spread north through the morning, heavy at times. Staying dull and cloudy but with lighter rain or drizzle in the early afternoon. More by way of drier interludes in the late afternoon and evening, but remaining cloudy with further outbreaks of rain, heavy at times. Rain will turn wintry over the very highest summits, above around 1100m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little to no chance.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m or so and poor visibilities in hill fog and outbreaks of rain. Very small chance of limited and temporary clearer spells developing between showers in evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
It will be another cloudy day but generally drier than Sunday. Further spells of showery rain spreading north, though with some drier intervals in-between. Rain will turn wintry over the very highest summits, above around 900-1000m. Best of the conditions in the more sheltered north.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%, best chances in the north.
Maximum wind speed expected
South to Southeast, 20-30mph, gusting 40mph in places.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 0C to plus 2C.
- Glen Plus 4C rising to plus 8C.
- Freezing level Around 1100m.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite widespread cloud down to 400-600m and visibilities falling poor in hill fog and showers, though some temporary and transient clearer breaks may develop between showers at times. Best chance of clearer spells in the more sheltered north.
Mountain weather information
Tue 10 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with persistent rain, heavy at times. Freezing level around 800-1000m. Strong southeast winds.
Wed 11 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further cloud and rain and summit snow, heavy at times. Freezing level falling to around 600-800m Strong to gale southeast winds.
Thu 12 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain and summit snow, heavy at times. Freezing level falling to around 400-600m. Strong to gale southeast 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