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Southern Uplands Forecast

Southern Uplands

The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).

Today's Forecast

Windy, walking impeded
Frequent or persistent rain
Poor visibility
Chilly

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM Last Updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM Last Updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM

Viewing Forecast For

Southern Uplands
Saturday 21st February 2026
Last updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Southwesterly winds strengthening during the day, becoming upland gales more widely later. Milder overall, soon rising above freezing to the highest summits in Scotland. Rain, drizzle and low cloud extensive, developing into more prolonged heavy rain from the west in the afternoon.

Headline for Southern Uplands

Windy, gales later. Low cloud, drizzle, rain heavy west afternoon.

How windy? (On the summits)

Southwesterly 30 to 35mph, strengthening during day from west, reaching 40mph later afternoon onward into evening.

Effect of the wind on you?

Strenuous walking over the hills all day, increasingly arduous later. Considerable wind chill despite milder air.

How Wet?

Rain and drizzle, heavier later west

Rain on and off, persistently drizzly at least western areas. Patchier toward the Lothians. Steadier rain setting in from west, becoming heavier with time afternoon. Becoming wet underfoot, particularly where snow melts on higher areas.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive

Blanketing the hills all day, from lower elevations upward near/west of the M74, rarely above 400-500m. Higher bases to 600m Borders to Pentlands.

Chance of cloud free summits?

10%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Overcast and dull, locally brighter skies for a time eastern areas. Hazy, visibility widely poor in rain.

How Cold? (at 750m)

5 or 6C. Where exposed to stronger winds on tops, feeling like -7C.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Southern Uplands
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Last updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Southwesterly 35 to 45mph, squally gusts in showers, over 50mph on higher tops.

Effect of the wind on you?

Strenuous walking over the hills, challenging on exposed higher terrain with buffeting gusts. Considerable wind chill.

How Wet?

Showers mostly west and south

Showers most common Dumfries & Galloway, locally heavier with risk of hail. A few bands of showers reach Cheviots. Few and only brief showers toward Borders and Pentland hills.

Cloud on the hills?

Mostly higher and western tops

Often covering higher tops in Galloway above 700m, sometimes lower in westernmost areas. Higher cloud bases and more breaks to upper slopes in east.

Chance of cloud free summits?

40%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Glimpses of sun, mostly toward east. Visibility at times very good, but reduced to occasionally poor in showers.

How Cold? (at 750m)

3C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -13C on tops.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Southern Uplands
Monday 23rd February 2026
Last updated Fri 20th Feb 26 at 3:30PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, strongest in morning, easing slowly toward 30mph later afternoon.

Effect of the wind on you?

Arduous walking conditions over the hills, gusts knocking you off balance in exposure. Significant wind chill.

How Wet?

Patchy rain west, may set in

Rain on and off in Dumfries and Galloway, risk becoming more persistent and heavy with time from the southwest. Patchier toward Borders and Pentland hills, drier for a time at least.

Cloud on the hills?

Most persistent southwest, breaks N/E

Often covering higher slopes near and west of the M74, risk lowering to cover hills from 400m upward, or lower near Solway. Higher and more broken cloud east and northern areas, may be clear for a time.

Chance of cloud free summits?

30% west, to 60% north/east.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Occasional sun, best in east; high cloud then thickens quickly from west afternoon. Some haze near coast, but visibility mostly very good.

How Cold? (at 750m)

3C, then rising slightly after dark. Feeling like -10 to -15C directly in the wind.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Planning Outlook

West to southwesterly winds prevail during the week ahead as areas of low pressure move toward northwest Scotland whilst ridges of higher pressure occasionally nudge across southern Britain. Sustained gales over the mountains, only brief lulls. Temperatures will fluctuate above and below freezing on higher Scottish mountains, with periods of thaw and refreezing. England and Wales generally above freezing to tops with a substantial thaw of most upland snow. Frequent rainfall, often heavy over western mountains, at times showery with hail, some snow on Scottish Munros. The final days of February favour colder northwesterly air and a drop of freezing level.