Mountain weather
South Grampian and Southeast Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the cold weather to continue. Medium for cloud and snow shower detail.
This evening forecast
A mainly dry evening with variable cloud and some clear spells, patchy hill fog. A few snow showers over the Aberdeenshire Hills with the odd light one reaching the Angus Hills and northern Perthshire. Strong northerly breeze on tops and freezing at all levels.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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
Southern areas should stay dry with some sunny spells. Occasional snow showers in the north. Fresh to strong northerly winds and bitterly cold at height.
| 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% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 50% | 50% |
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 |
W
27
|
NW
26
|
NW
26
|
W
23
|
NW
18
|
NW
18
|
NW
18
|
NW
18
|
| 900m |
W
20
|
NW
17
|
NW
17
|
W
14
|
NW
14
|
NW
10
|
NW
11
|
NW
11
|
| 600m |
W
15
|
W
11
|
NW
11
|
W
11
|
NW
10
|
NW
7
|
NW
6
|
NW
6
|
| 300m |
W
10
|
NW
8
|
NW
8
|
NW
8
|
NW
7
|
NW
5
|
NW
5
|
NW
6
|
| Glen |
W
9
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
W
6
|
NW
7
|
W
5
|
NW
5
|
W
5
|
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 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 900m | 26 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
| 600m | 25 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
| 300m | 21 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
| Glen | 22 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
300m
|
300m
|
200m
|
300m
|
200m
|
200m
|
200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100m |
-16°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
| 900m |
-12°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| Glen |
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Despite modest wind speeds, sub-zero temperatures at most levels will lead to a bitterly cold day.
Weather
The Aberdeenshire Hills will have occasional snow showers, some on the heavy side at first and in the evening with a small risk of lightning, but some drier spells during the day. A few lighter showers will reach the Angus and north Perthshire hills but with some sunny or clear interludes. Southern Perthshire and the Ochils will be mainly dry, just the chance of a light snow shower in the early hours then the day looks dry with some good sunny spells.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in north, 80% in south.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of low cloud to 600-800m in the north, lower patches near snow showers, especially Aberdeenshire with very poor visibility in cloud and in heavier snow showers, and any summit drifting. Generally good otherwise.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly cloudy with occasional snow showers, some heavy especially over the north. Further accumulations. Some clear or sunny intervals.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%
Maximum wind speed expected
Northeast 20 gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 4 Celsius
- Glen Minus 3 Celsius rising to Plus 1 at best.
- Freezing level All levels
Low cloud and visibility
Frequent cloud at 600-750m and lowering to 450m in snow showers. Very poor visibility in cloud and the heavier snow showers, but good away from cloud and in drier spells..
Mountain weather information
Sun 11 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry bright day with some sunny spells. Freezing at all levels with severe frost in the glens. Light winds.
Mon 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A cloudier day with the chance of a few light snow showers. Freezing level 300m with a fresh easterly wind.
Tue 13 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Again mainly but cold with a stronger east or southeast wind, freezing level around 300m
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