Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for Tuesday then Low for details on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with uncertainty in the extent and amounts of rain over Scotland.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry, isolated showers developing. Low cloud in evening. Light winds.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
SE
13
|
SE
15
|
E
16
|
SE
15
|
SE
13
|
SE
14
|
| 900m |
SE
7
|
SE
10
|
E
13
|
SE
14
|
SE
10
|
SE
7
|
| 600m |
E
2
|
E
7
|
E
10
|
SE
9
|
E
7
|
E
6
|
| 300m |
W
0
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
| Glen |
SW
2
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
E
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 15 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 17 |
| 900m | 10 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 11 |
| 600m | 4 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 10 |
| 300m | 4 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| Glen | 4 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 900m |
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
13°
|
15°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
15°
|
17°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
15°
|
18°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,900m
|
2,300m
|
2,300m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
12°
|
13°
|
11°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
13°
|
16°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
13°
|
16°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note the deteriorating visibility during the evening, especially in the east.
Weather
A sunny start but cloud increasing from late morning with a few isolated showers developing bringing a very small chance of thunder. These dying out in the evening but some low cloud and patchy drizzle arriving from the east.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%, becoming 20% in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally good visibility. Temporarily poor in any showers with patchy cloud down to 600m. Cloud and fog becoming extensive down to 300 or 400m during the evening, but down to glen level in the east
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with showers, some heavy and perhaps thundery. Showers merging to longer spells of heavy rain in the afternoon and evening but some uncertainty in details at this stage.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% becoming 30%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northerly 10mph, increasing 20 to 25mph gusts 35mph during afternoon.
Temperature
- At 800m 9 or 10C.
- Glen Plus 11C rising to 16C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud to low slopes at first but lifting as visibility improves for a time, then becoming mainly poor in rain or showers with areas of cloud developing, bases 600 to 800m.
Mountain weather information
Thu 23 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Cold and windy with northerly gales on the tops.
Fri 24 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain at first but becoming drier and brighter later with winds easing.
Sat 25 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with sunny spells expected but perhaps becoming cloudy late in the day with strengthening southerly winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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