Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the cold conditions to continue throughout. Lower for cloud and shower detail and timings.
This evening forecast
Occasional snow showers affecting the Aberdeenshire hills, some heavy, with a few lighter ones reaching the Braes of Angus and Glenshee, but most of Perthshire and the Ochils staying dry with clear skies though with severe frost developing in the glens.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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
Frequent showers or longer spells of snow in the north, blizzards, edging south later. Freezing at most levels, strengthening northeast summit winds.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 60% | 40% |
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 |
NW
21
|
NW
19
|
N
18
|
NE
22
|
NE
23
|
NE
24
|
NE
25
|
NE
24
|
| 900m |
NW
11
|
NW
12
|
N
12
|
NE
15
|
NE
16
|
NE
16
|
NE
16
|
NE
15
|
| 600m |
W
8
|
NW
8
|
N
6
|
NE
9
|
NE
10
|
NE
9
|
NE
8
|
NE
6
|
| 300m |
NW
6
|
NW
7
|
N
5
|
NE
8
|
NE
9
|
NE
10
|
NE
9
|
N
7
|
| Glen |
W
5
|
NW
6
|
N
5
|
NE
8
|
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
NE
10
|
N
7
|
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 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 31 |
| 900m | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| 600m | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
| 300m | 16 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
| Glen | 15 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 17 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
300m
|
300m
|
400m
|
400m
|
300m
|
300m
|
200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-15°
|
-14°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-14°
|
-15°
|
-16°
|
| 900m |
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| Glen |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Lighter winds in the south of the area until the afternoon when they will gradually strengthen.
Weather
Mainly dry overnight across the south but some heavy snow showers over the Aberdeenshire Hills. The day generally dry over the Ochils and southern Perthshire with broken cloud and some sunny intervals. Further north, frequent snow showers will continue across the Aberdeenshire Hills, the heavier ones edging south into Angus and Glenshee during the afternoon and then reaching southern areas in the evening. With strengthening east or northeast winds this will bring drifting and blowing of lying snow and some blizzard conditions. Later in the evening the Aberdeenshire hills should turn drier and clearer.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% in south, 10% in north and chances diminishing in the south later.
Low cloud and visibility
Low confidence in the detail, but widespread cloud at 450-600m in the more frequent showers in the north and very poor visibility in the snow as well. Further south occasional cloud at 600-900m with mainly good visibility away from that, but cloud becoming becoming more widespread later with visibility then falling in the snow showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
The snow showers clearing south in the early hours. For most a dry bright day with long spells of unbroken sunshine, but a few scattered snow showers may affect the Aberdeenshire Hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% but 40% over the Aberdeenshire Hills.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northeast 25mph in early hours easing Northerly 10-15mph by daybreak.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 4 Celsius.
- Glen Minus 7 rising to Plus 1 Celsius at best and remaining below freezing in places, falling Minus 7 again in the evening, potentially below Minus 10 where good snow cover.
- Freezing level All levels.
Low cloud and visibility
Little or no cloud and good visibility for most but occasional cloud at 450-600m over the Aberdeenshire Hills and some reductions to moderate or poor visibility in snow showers. A small chance of a few freezing fog patches in the glens.
Mountain weather information
Mon 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Clear then sunny periods, before cloud increases from the east to bring some snow showers, mainly affecting the Angus and Aberdeenshire Hills. Freezing at all levels. A light to moderate easterly breeze on the summits.
Tue 13 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Northerly winds will bring occasional snow showers to the north and mainly dry, sunny weather to the south. Freezing at all levels.
Wed 14 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry day with some sunny spells in south, further snow showers in north. Cold, freezing at all levels. Fresh northerly summits winds.
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