Southern Uplands
The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).
Today's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Friday 21st February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions over the mountains, storm-force winds most of daylight. Wet all day most areas, heaviest rain on south-facing hill groups, risk of local flooding. Least rain toward far north of the Highlands. Cloud shrouding the hills widely. Well above freezing with an ongoing thaw.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Stormy upland winds. Extensive rain, heavy west & central areas.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southerly 60-80mph for most of daylight. Speeds moderating evening into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility very difficult on higher terrain; walking challenging even on mid to lower slopes in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Very wet Dumfries & Galloway, intermittent rain east.
Rain incessant and heavy on hills near and west of the M74. Easing a little into afternoon. Often raining further east as well; least rain near the Lothians. Very wet underfoot, streams in spate, risk local flooding western areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive south, clear spells Lothians
Low cloud will be extensive on southern slopes and high terrain. Higher bases with occasional breaks north of high terrain.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, local brighter skies toward Lothians. Poor to very poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 750m)
7C, a degree or so warmer east. Cooling a few degrees in the west in the afternoon. Feeling as cold as -10C in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Saturday 22nd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 25-35mph. Risk of strong gusts around Borders and Lothians.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous at times, some balance challenges in higher winds. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Drizzle spells Galloway and Borders
Brief drizzle spells across Galloway hills. A few isolated drizzle spells in the Borders region.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequent Galloway and southern slopes
Cloud banks quite persistent on south-facing slopes, patchy with clear spells north and east. High terrain of Galloway often shrouded.
Chance of cloud free summits?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun near Central Belt, otherwise little. Good to excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3C. Feeling like -5C in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Sunday 23rd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the summits)
South to southwesterly 50 to 70mph, for periods over 80mph at least in gusts on higher summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions: mobility challenging across the hills, frequently knocking you off your feet where exposed higher up.
How Wet?
Heavy rain, showers later
Heavy rain setting in for Galloway around dawn, soon advancing eastwards to all areas, lasting several hours. Into afternoon, breaking up from west into clusters of showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the hills most or all day, lowest cloud bases to mid or some lower slopes for a few hours. Highest bases Pentland hills. Starting to lift to upper slopes as rain eases from west.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, sun unlikely. Hazy, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2C rising to 5C. Feeling like -10 to -15C due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
All terrain will have thawed by the weekend; very wet underfoot with several spells of heavy rainfall, highest totals on south & southwest-facing hills bringing local flooding. A relative improvement on Saturday for many places, but remaining windy, up to gale-force higher northern Scottish tops - rain still frequent around Skye. Deteriorating again into Sunday with further storm-force mountain winds. Chillier westerly winds prevail next week, a return to mostly sub-freezing conditions over Scottish Munros, whilst lower Scottish hills plus mountains in England & Wales will see some freeze and thaw. Showery conditions with hail and upland snow, mixed with occasionally more widespread precipitation.