Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium for most aspects but low for shower detail.
This evening forecast
Mainly cloudy some outbreaks of rain, quite heavy in the north at first becoming lighter. Some hill fog. A few clear intervals developing especially towards the Ochils. breaks in the cloud in the Ochils. The southerly gales across the hills slowly easing.
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.
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.
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.
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
Variable cloud and some showers, heavy by afternoon.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 30% | 10% |
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
36
|
S
30
|
S
27
|
S
25
|
SE
21
|
S
21
|
S
18
|
S
15
|
| 900m |
S
25
|
S
21
|
S
21
|
S
20
|
SE
16
|
S
17
|
S
14
|
S
10
|
| 600m |
S
15
|
S
11
|
S
13
|
SE
15
|
SE
13
|
S
12
|
S
9
|
S
5
|
| 300m |
SE
5
|
SE
5
|
S
7
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
SE
7
|
S
6
|
E
3
|
| Glen |
S
7
|
S
5
|
SE
6
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
S
9
|
S
6
|
NE
3
|
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 | 46 | 38 | 35 | 34 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 19 |
| 900m | 35 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 14 |
| 600m | 29 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 11 |
| 300m | 13 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 8 |
| Glen | 18 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
13°
|
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
16°
|
16°
|
15°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
2,100m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Nothing to add
Weather
Mostly cloudy overnight and into the morning with patchy rain or showers, these becoming heavier in places during the day, with the outside chance of thunder. The showers will become fewer and further between from late afternoon some longer sunny periods developing in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at first rising 80% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Some cloud down to 600-800m or so overnight and in the morning, perhaps lower in the Angus hills, then cloud lifting mostly above the summits in the afternoon except in the Angus and southgern Aberdeenshire Hills. Generally good visibility underneath but reducing to a few kilometres in any heavier showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Some showers returning from the south overnight and continuing through much of Thursday, with thunder possible. In the evening showers becoming more isolated again.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% at first then rising over 90%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Variable, mainly south or southwest 10-15mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 Celsius rising to Plus 10 in the afternoon.
- Glen Plus 11 Celsius rising to Plus 19 in the afternoon.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of low cloud possible at first, mainly in Angus and Aberdeenshire, at 500-700m, with very poor visibility in the cloud, occasionally poor below in heavier showers. Visibility becoming mainly good from late afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Fri 1 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A bright day with some sunshine along with a few showers which could be on the heavy side. A light to moderate southwest breeze.
Sat 2 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
After some overnight rain the day bright with sunny intervals and occasional showers.
Sun 3 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright and mainly dry, with just a few light showers.
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
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