Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally dry, warm sunny through the weekend, then more unsettled from Monday, but medium to low for the detail on worst of these later conditions.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Largely dry with sunshine developing into the afternoon, bringing a sunburn risk.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
NW
4
|
NE
5
|
E
6
|
SE
8
|
E
6
|
SW
7
|
| 900m |
NW
3
|
NE
5
|
E
6
|
SE
8
|
E
6
|
SW
4
|
| 600m |
N
2
|
E
5
|
NE
8
|
SE
7
|
E
6
|
SW
2
|
| 300m |
E
4
|
E
4
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
E
3
|
| Glen |
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
E
10
|
E
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
| 900m | 4 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 5 |
| 600m | 3 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 3 |
| 300m | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 6 |
| Glen | 7 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
15°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
| 900m |
15°
|
15°
|
16°
|
17°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 600m |
14°
|
16°
|
19°
|
20°
|
19°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
16°
|
20°
|
22°
|
19°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
15°
|
20°
|
22°
|
18°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
15°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| 900m |
15°
|
14°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 600m |
14°
|
16°
|
18°
|
19°
|
18°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
16°
|
20°
|
21°
|
18°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
15°
|
19°
|
21°
|
16°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
High risk of sunburn in exposure, particularly in west during the afternoon.
Weather
Rather cloudy at low and mid-levels but cloud thinning and breaking from late morning leading to a fine, dry, warm and sunny afternoon. However low cloud may spread again from the east for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Near 100% with the early and late lower cloud expected to be confined below this level.
Visibility
Generally good or very good, but very poor in lower cloud early and late with cloud quite extensive for a time between 100 and 500m.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Similar to Saturday with the vast majority enjoying another fine, dry, increasingly sunny, warm day. However a further risk of some lower cloud early and late in the day.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Near 100% with the early and late lower cloud expected to be confined below this level.
Maximum wind speed expected
Variable, mostly easterly, 15mph or less.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 12-15 Celsius increasing 18 Celsius for a time during the afternoon
- Glen Plus 8 Celsius increasing 24 Celsius for a time during the afternoon
- Freezing level Well above all summits
Visibility
Generally good or very good, but very poor in lower cloud early and late with cloud quite extensive for a time between 100 and 500m.
Mountain weather information
Monday 26 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers with outbreaks mainly during the afternoon and early evening, perhaps turning heavy bringing hail and thunderstorms. Light summit winds turning northerly.
Tuesday 27 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with showers or longer periods of rain, heavy at times with hail and thunder.
Wednesday 28 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Similar to Tuesday with showers or longer periods of rain, heavy at times with hail and thunder
Updated at:
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
This weather forecast area covers much of the southern and eastern Cairngorm National Park, the Aberdeenshire hills and Angus hills and includes the Balmoral Estate, Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852. Lochnagar, with its magnificent northern corrie, is very popular among walkers and climbers and Mount Keen is the most easterly of all Munros (Scottish mountains over 3000 feet).
The Perthshire hills offer a rich variety of heather-clad hills and mighty pine forests. The River Tay flows 120 miles from its source to the North Sea and is the longest and largest river in Scotland. Loch Tay is a freshwater loch and at around 150 metres deep it is one of the deepest in Scotland. At 1,214 metres Ben Lawers is the highest point along the ridge near the north shore of the loch that includes seven Munros.
The Ochil Hills are a long range of steep-sided, round topped hills, stretching 25 miles from the Firth of Tay to Stirling. There are many peaks over 600 metres offering splendid views across central Scotland and to the north, with Ben Cleuch the highest at 721 metres.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service