Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for Sunday and Monday. Lower for details later Tuesday and Wednesday.
This evening forecast
Dry with mostly high level cloud. Strong southerly winds, severe gales at munro level. Freezing level above the summits.
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.
Storm force winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry and bright. Severe gales increasing to storm force across summits.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | 40% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
S
45
|
S
43
|
S
39
|
S
39
|
S
44
|
S
46
|
S
52
|
S
55
|
| 900m |
S
34
|
S
32
|
S
27
|
S
28
|
S
33
|
S
33
|
S
39
|
S
42
|
| 600m |
S
25
|
S
24
|
S
16
|
S
18
|
S
21
|
S
19
|
S
23
|
S
27
|
| 300m |
SW
8
|
W
7
|
E
3
|
SE
7
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
SE
9
|
S
12
|
| Glen |
SW
14
|
SW
9
|
SW
5
|
SE
6
|
S
13
|
SE
9
|
SE
11
|
SE
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 56 | 54 | 49 | 49 | 57 | 59 | 67 | 72 |
| 900m | 46 | 43 | 37 | 38 | 46 | 46 | 55 | 59 |
| 600m | 42 | 41 | 29 | 31 | 38 | 35 | 42 | 48 |
| 300m | 21 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 30 |
| Glen | 29 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 29 | 21 | 26 | 29 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
8°
|
10°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
9°
|
11°
|
12°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
9°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,800m
|
2,000m
|
2,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-10°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
6°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Dry and bright with mainly high cloud. Increasingly mild, but with severe gales increasing to storm force winds across higher summits. Patchy rain in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
80-90%, isolated patches above 800m. More extensive cloud lowering to 600m towards midnight, mainly across southern ranges.
Visibility
Good.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Winds likely to be 10-20 mph stronger than 1100m winds in table across higher summits and plateaus until dusk. Strong gusty winds on leeward slopes.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Outbreaks of rain clearing east before dawn. Then fresher conditions with sunny spells, a few isolated showers, wintry on the summits. Dry by evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
80%, occasional patches mainly above 700m during the morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
South 50 gusting 65 mph becoming Southwest 40 gusting 50-55 mph by dawn. Easing further to 30 gusting 40 mph by evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 Celsius falling to zero Celsius.
- Glen Plus 5 Celsius rising to 12 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits, falling to 1100m by mid-morning, 800m by dusk.
Visibility
Good.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 7 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright, but increasing high cloud, perhaps lowering later in the day. A slight chance of rain late in the day. Strong southwest winds. Freezing level 800m rising above the summits.
Wednesday 8 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Most likely cloudy with moderate westerly winds, some patchy light rain possible in the west at first. Freezing level most likely above the summits.
Thursday 9 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and bright with light winds. Freezing level most likely above the summits.
Updated at:
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Includes South and East Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeenshire and Angus hills, Ben Vrackie, Ben Lawers, Loch Tay and Ochils
The Ochil Hills are a long range of steeply 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.
Loch Tay is a freshwater loch in the central highlands and is around 15 miles long. 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 on the north shore that includes seven Munros (mountains over 3,000 ft).
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service