Southern Uplands
The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).
Friday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Friday 2nd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Bitterly cold north-northwesterly winds, gale-force over many hills, typically strongest in morning, again late in day Scotland. Frequent snow and hail northern Scotland, blizzard conditions on mountains. Showers also affect Wales. Mostly dry, sunny and clear hills N England & S Scotland. Most terrain frozen.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Gales in morning lessen, significant chill factor. Sunshine.
How windy? (On the summits)
North-northwesterly 40 to 50mph from before dawn into the morning, lessening, 30 to 40mph by afternoon, then tending to increase again after dark.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill over the hills. Arduous with considerable buffeting in the morning, remaining strenuous walking in exposure on higher terrain afternoon.
How Wet?
Rare if any snow showers
Isolated snow and hail showers mostly confined to areas nearest coasts.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Patches clipping some high tops occasionally, mainly western hills in Galloway.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, some cloud toward coasts. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-3 or -4C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C on tops.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, barely rising above zero inland valleys; just above freezing up to 300-400m nearest coasts and some sunlit southern slopes inland.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 35 to 45mph, strongest eastern hills, over 50mph in places higher Cheviots.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the hills. Frequent buffeting on exposed higher terrain, often arduous walking in east.
How Wet?
Most places dry
A few showers coming in from the north may clip western Galloway hills, whilst showers over the North Sea may graze inland onto easternmost hills. Otherwise dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Rare patches on some higher tops.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -17 to -20C in exposure on high tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from valleys upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 300-400m.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 25 to 35mph, strongest eastern hills, 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the hills. Strenuous walking on exposed higher terrain, particularly in east.
How Wet?
Most places dry
A few showers coming in from the north may clip western Galloway hills, whilst showers over the North Sea may graze inland onto easternmost hills. Otherwise dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Rare patches on the higher tops of Galloway and upper slopes facing Ayrshire. Otherwise clear of cloud.
Chance of cloud free summits?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-5C, -4C on westernmost slopes. Wind chill feeling like -17C in exposure on high tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying at or below freezing from the valleys upwards.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen this weekend and early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and some valleys inland in northern England. Substantial fresh snow accumulations in the North West Highlands and Cairngorms, heavy showers streaming in from the north also containing hail. Largely dry and sunny from central Scotland to northern England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops, lessening somewhat during Sunday. Some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, though most high terrain stays sub-zero, and as fronts come in from the west, upland snowfalls are possible more widely.