Southern Uplands
The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).
Wednesday'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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive gales across the hills. Rain preceded by early snow on higher terrain in the Highlands, lifting briefly above freezing to high tops. Showery bursts follow into western Scotland, heavy and frequent with hail later. England & Wales sees rain much of the day, spreading eastward, heavy at times.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Upland gales. Heavy rain, less north/east; low cloud.
How windy? (On the summits)
South-southwesterly 45 to 60mph, powerful gusts in places downslope to north of higher tops. Starting to lessen a little only toward or beyond dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over exposed higher terrain, walking difficult in places, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes.
How Wet?
Rain most of day, heavy west
Rain from before dawn in west, persistent and heavy much of day Dumfries & Galloway, extending eastwards, though patchier Borders. Later breaking into showers in west. Very wet underfoot, streams in spate, renewed flooding likely Dumfries & Galloway.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the hills widely all day, from mid-to-lower slopes western areas, but soon spreading east to all hills. Base may begin to rise in west up to dusk.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky. Better visibility Lothians to Borders if dry for a time.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1 or 2C rising during morning to 5C. Feeling like -8 to -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but from dawn close to very highest tops above 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Thursday 18th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the summits)
South to southwesterly 30 to 50mph, speed likely to vary, possibly lessening further for a time during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Changeable, but at times arduous walking conditions over exposed higher terrain, considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain likely setting in afternoon
Patchy showers mostly Galloway, but often dry for a few hours. Then heavy rain moving in from southwest during day, risk widely heavy afternoon. Breaking up into showery rain and hail (snow high tops) evening into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, becoming extensive
Patchy cloud around some hills, mainly near Solway. Elsewhere may be clearer, but cloud lowering over hills widely in rain.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40% dropping below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, varied layers of high cloud, but visibility good where dry, best in north; reducing if rain develops.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3 or 4C, then lowering near 0C into night. Wind chill feeling as cold as -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, then dropping into the night toward 800m or just above.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Friday 19th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 45 to 60mph, may start to lessen a little.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over higher hills, frequent buffeting from modest elevations upward. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Passing showers
Scattering of showers, most frequent Dumfries and Galloway, risk of hail. Often dry Borders.
Cloud on the hills?
Occasionally on tops
Patches of cloud drifting across higher tops, mostly above 700-800m. Often clear into the Borders and Pentland hills.
Chance of cloud free summits?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine most frequent east, cloudier Galloway. Visibility often very good, reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2 or 3C. Feeling like -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Planning Outlook
South-southwesterly winds widely remain gale force over the mountains later this week and through into Saturday, severe upland gales for periods. More heavy rain for England and Wales on Thursday, further flooding expected; rain spreads north into Scotland, falling as snow on Munros. Showery by Friday, most frequent in western Scotland with hail, also snow over tops. Another belt of persistent rain likely arrives from the west into Saturday, snow only highest Scottish tops. A switch to east-southeasterly winds by Sunday into early next week, some residual rain and high-level snow, but a drier theme develops and favouring chillier conditions into the Christmas period.