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East Highland: forecast weather

Wednesday, 8 February 2012: dawn to dusk

Printable view Forecast issued: 0307 on Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Overview for Wednesday

It will be a windy day across all climbing areas of Scotland. Rain preceded by a little snow on highest tops will edge southeastwards across East Highland area during the late afternoon.

Hazards	Risk	Explanation
Blizzards	No Risk
Heavy snow	No Risk
Storm force winds	Medium	Storm force gusts possible over Cairngorm Plateau.
Gales	High	Across all higher ridges and summits.
Severe chill effect	Medium	Temperatures above freezing but still significant due to strong winds.
Persistent and extensive hill fog	No Risk
Thunderstorms	No Risk
Heavy persistent rain	No Risk
Strong Sunlight	No Risk

key to hazards and forecast content

Weather summary and probability of precipitation for Wednesday
Dawn to 0900	0900 to 1200	1200 to 1500	1500 to dusk
Sunny intervals	Sunny intervals	Light rain	Light rain
0%	10-30%	50-70%	70-90%

Detailed mountain weather forecast: East Highlands

Wednesday
Thursday
Outlook
Useful Links

Wednesday

Weather

All ranges will have a dry morning with some bright or sunny spells and another frost at lower levels. Then cloudy in the afternoon with rain, preceded by snow for a short time above 900M edging slowly southwards. The rain will be mostly light with parts of the Angus hills and hills around Strath Tay staying dry till after dark.

Visibility

Generally good with hills in the near distance clearly visible but a haze will obscure more distant hills. The visibility will become poor as the precipitation arrives in the afternoon.

Hill fog

Occasional fog above 600M during the morning, especially over the Perthshire hills with some patches lower down at first. Fog will become more extensive above 600M during the afternoon.

Maximum winds above 600m

Severe gale force southerly winds, average speeds of 40 to 50mph with gusts 70, especially over the Cairngorm Plateau. There will be a risk of being blown over.

Temperature

Glens	Minus 3 Celsius rising to plus 3 Celsius.
900 m	Minus 2 Celsius rising to plus 4 Celsius.
Freezing level	700M at first, rising above the summits.

Thursday

Weather

It will be a mainly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain. The rain will be mostly light and patchy with some drier interludes towards northern and eastern aspects of the Cairngorms as well as over the Angus hills. There is risk of freezing rain developing for a time over the Angus hills, leading to treacherous walking conditions.

Visibility

Generally moderate or poor but locally good visibility towards the northeast of the area.

Hill fog

Extensive fog above about 700 to 800m but down to 500M at times, mainly over hills to the west of the A9.

Maximum winds above 600m

Southwesterly winds with average speeds of around 25mph.

Temperature

Glens	Plus 3 Celsius rising to plus 6 Celsius.
900 m	Plus 4 Celsius.
Freezing level	Above the summits.

Outlook

Friday

It will stay cloudy with further outbreaks of rain. There will be some heavier outbreaks towards the west of the area. Fresh or strong southerly winds across the tops.

Saturday

A drier and brighter day across the East Highland area. There will be some sunshine and winds will be light at all levels. The freezing level lowering to about 900M.

Sunday

Mainly dry with some bright spells, especially over the Cairngorms and Angus hills. Sleet and snow will edge in from the Northwest in the afternoon. Southwesterly winds becoming strong with severe wind-chill over higher ridges and summits.