Southern Uplands
The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).
Thursday'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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Thursday 1st January 2026
Last updated
Wed 31st Dec 25 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold north-northwesterly winds, widely gale force over the mountains, difficult conditions with severe chill factor on Scottish high tops. Showery snow and hail frequent in northern Scotland. Rare showers central Scotland and northern England. Early rain and hill snow followed by showers in Wales.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Gales on tops, largely dry, most hills clear.
How windy? (On the summits)
Northwesterly 35 to 50mph, strongest sustained speeds on higher Cheviots, but may increase Galloway during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, frequent buffeting over most high terrain, more challenging in exposure higher up. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Scattered snow showers
A few showers mostly Galloway hills, coming inland from northwest, falling as snow or hail, or rain below 300-400m. Often dry near/east of M74. Local brief snow showers some easternmost hills. Greater risk of scattered snow showers into the evening and night.
Cloud on the hills?
Occasional patches mostly west
Patches moving onto higher slopes in Galloway mostly above 700m, rarely grazing higher tops elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sunshine, some high cloud. Visibility very good, locally reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-1 or -2C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
400 to 600m, highest toward Galloway. Into night dropping sub-zero to lower slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Friday 2nd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 31st Dec 25 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North-northwesterly 30 to 40mph, squally gusts in showers, often strongest on Cheviots, risk 50mph early morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill over the hills. Strenuous walking in exposure on higher terrain.
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 -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, barely rising above zero inland valleys; just above freezing up to 300-400m nearest coasts.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 31st Dec 25 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 30 to 40mph, strongest eastern hills.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the hills. Frequent buffeting 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 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 -17C 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.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen onward into the weekend and early next week at least; 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, tending to lessen into Sunday. Some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, but some fronts moving in from northwest likely bring snowfall to hills at times more widely.