Southern Uplands
The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).
Sunday'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+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Sunday 11th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely very difficult mountain conditions in severe or storm force upland winds. From west, rapid snow melt commencing and extensive fog - giving whiteout in some areas. Underfoot areas of ice, in some areas on lower slopes.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Storm force upland wind; snow turning to rain from west.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southerly, 60mph morning slight easing afternoon. Powerful gusts. Near the Lothians and Cheviots, speeds marginally lower.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains; mobility widely challenging. Sometimes difficult to stand, in places sudden ferocious gusts reaching lower slopes, Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow turning to heavy rain, soon west
Snow developing before dawn from the west, heavy over many hills, but progressively turning to rain morning (in place with temperature still below freezing point). Heavy or torrential rain Galloway.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog on higher summits
Shrouding higher areas all day. Forming widely below 300 or 400m Galloway, and elsewhere around 450m. Summits toward the Lothians sometimes clearing.
Chance of cloud free summits?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare if any glimpses of sun toward Lothians; otherwise dull and misty.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-1C at first, rising from west toward +3 to 5C, small variation of temperature with height. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
300 to 500m at dawn but soon above the summits west of M74, and in afternoon everywhere. Most terrain frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Monday 12th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 40 to on highest summits 55mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking widely difficult on higher areas, frequent buffeting even lower elevations. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain
Rain on and off all day, occasionally heavier, most persistent Dumfries & Galloway. Smaller amounts Borders to Lothians. Very wet underfoot following previous rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Often covering hills above 600-700m, at times 500m near to Solway. Higher breaks more common further north/eastward.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly Borders to Lothians. Slight haze, visibility reduced to poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3 or 4C. Wind chill feeling around -10C where directly exposed on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Tuesday 13th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Low confidence in forecast: There may well be a lull to low speeds, but risk of southerly 25 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Probably small.
How Wet?
Little or perhaps no precipitation
It may well be dry most or all day - but threat of rain spreading northwards, particularly afternoon (highest risk to Borders).
Cloud on the hills?
May become confined to higher slopes, possibly clearing some summits
Patches of fog may have formed both valleys and lower slopes and also higher up. Through day, may clear some perhaps most higher areas. In rain, fog likely to become extensive.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine possibly but may well give way as cloud thickens. Visibility mostly very good, but poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2 to 4C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
High rainfall and intermittently windy across most mountains areas next week as a series of Atlantic lows cross Britain. From Tuesday day to day confidence very low due to uncertainty in timing and tracking of lows. Over England and Wales, temperatures on higher summits will intermittently be below freezing point: snow may accumulate on highest summits. Freeze thaw cycles will occur on the Scottish Highlands, although above 900m periods of thaw may well be brief, with progressive enhancement of the snowpack likely.