Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Low confidence for daily detail of low cloud. Low for timing of rain on Friday.
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
Morning low cloud and showers in the north, otherwise dry.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
W
30
|
W
23
|
W
19
|
W
14
|
W
10
|
W
6
|
| 900m |
W
21
|
W
19
|
W
16
|
W
12
|
W
10
|
W
5
|
| 600m |
W
17
|
W
15
|
W
14
|
W
10
|
W
8
|
W
5
|
| 300m |
W
8
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
8
|
NW
5
|
NW
3
|
| Glen |
SW
6
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
8
|
NW
5
|
NE
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m | 36 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 15 | 8 |
| 900m | 26 | 26 | 23 | 18 | 14 | 7 |
| 600m | 26 | 25 | 22 | 17 | 14 | 8 |
| 300m | 16 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 7 |
| Glen | 14 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 11 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
13°
|
15°
|
16°
|
15°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
17°
|
16°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-3°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
6°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling cold under cloud cover at height
Weather
Some low cloud possible at first over the Aberdeenshire hills and southern Cairngorms with the odd shower, this clearing by the end of the morning. Otherwise dry with some bright intervals.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Cloud down to 700 metres in the north in the morning, this lifting by early afternoon. Otherwise just some patchy cloud around 800 metres.
Visibility
Mostly good
Mountain weather information
Weather
Extensive low cloud and occasional rain, this mainly across the west.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Little chance, extensive low cloud between 500 and 700 metres
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 25 mph on the higher tops
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 8 Celsius
- Glen Plus 10 rising to 16 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Visibility
Rather hazy in the north and west
Mountain weather information
Thursday 16 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud burning off in the morning, although may linger across the far south. Then dry, sunny and quite warm.
Friday 17 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain in the morning, patchy in the east. Turning dry and much clearer in the afternoon.
Saturday 18 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry although cloudy.
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