Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for an unsettled day Monday and for more settled conditions to develop thereafter but low for precipitation details on Monday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, heavy and perhaps thundery later in the day.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 70% | 60% | 60% | 70% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
E
24
|
E
24
|
E
19
|
NE
14
|
NE
12
|
NE
12
|
| 900m |
E
19
|
E
21
|
E
18
|
NE
14
|
NE
11
|
NE
11
|
| 600m |
E
11
|
E
12
|
E
11
|
NE
8
|
NE
7
|
N
5
|
| 300m |
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
NE
6
|
NE
5
|
N
4
|
| Glen |
NE
10
|
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
NE
7
|
NE
5
|
W
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 29 | 30 | 24 | 19 | 15 | 16 |
| 900m | 24 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 14 | 15 |
| 600m | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
| 300m | 18 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 8 |
| Glen | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Then a mostly cloudy day with early heavy rain turning lighter and patchier through the morning. Some bright or sunny spells may develop towards Ben Lawers, Schiehallion and the western Perthshire hills for the afternoon but for most it remains cloudy with further patchy rain and drizzle. During the late afternoon and evening more persistent, locally heavy and perhaps thundery rain spreads north.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Little chance through much of the day with periods or persistent cloud above about 450m, lifting at times to 600m. Chances a little better, around 30%, across the southwest through the afternoon with cloud becoming more occasional above about 750m at times.
Visibility
Good falling to just a few kilometres in heavier rain and drizzle.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Temperatures may reach 17 Celsius in brighter spots in the southwest. Feeling rather cold on the higher summits.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Remaining rather cloudy overnight with rain becoming lighter and patchier again. Then a mostly cloudy day across the Aberdeenshire hills with further patchy light rain and drizzle. However the further south and west you go the better chance of seeing some bright or sunny spells
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Little chance across th Aberdeenshire Hills with periods or persistent cloud above about 450m, lifting at times to 600m. Chances improve to around around 75% elsewhere with cloud becoming more occasional above 750m.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northerly or northeasterly 15-20mph gradually decreasing 10mph
Temperature
- At 800m Around plus 10 Celsius
- Glen Around 10 Celsius rising to 14 Celsius by day, perhaps 18 or 19 Celsius in any brighter spots.
- Freezing level Above the summits
Visibility
Good falling to just a few kilometres in rain and drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Wednesday 26 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Continuing mostly cloudy across the north through the morning with patchy rain and drizzle but the afternoon looks drier and brighter. Occasionally fresh northwesterly breeze.
Thursday 27 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and sunny. Mainly Light winds.
Friday 28 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some early low cloud in east soon burning off, otherwise another dry warm and sunny day. Freshening southerly winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for South Grampian and Southeast HighlandsIncludes 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