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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Friday 30th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Jan 26 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales for northern England and Scotland all day with powerful gusts over tops and downslope to the northwest. Several hours of snow in these regions as well, passing from west-to-east with time, the snow level lifting to mid-slopes; northwest Scotland mostly dry and bright. Blustery in Wales, most of the rain south/east.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Gales early, easing; snow passes west to east
How windy? (On the summits)
Southeasterly 40-45mph in the morning, strong gusts in the far west reaching 50mph or higher for a time. A risk of more powerful winds west afternoon. Generally easing, 30-40mph, strongest near coasts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous in exposure all day with buffeting often challenging stability; balance will be challenging in gusts early in the day. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Morning snow west moves eastward
Snow soon fairly widespread in Galloway to start the day, only patchy to the east (sleet/rain below 400m). The area of snow soon moves east, most high terrain in snow for several hours, then turning patchy in the west with consistent falls east. Snow level rises with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding most higher terrain, local variations, best of any breaks above 600m on hills around the M74 in the morning. Extensive cloud to middle or low slopes in southern Galloway in snow, this cloud moving east with the snow.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, dull, poor visibility over hills in snow and rain.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-2 or -3C, rising to 0C, locally 1C on hills towards Ayrshire. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
400-500m at dawn, gradually rising, approaching summit level afternoon or above in the west.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Saturday 31st January 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Jan 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Detail uncertain: starting easterly 25-35mph. Trending towards lighter speeds in the range and shifting southeasterly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure with significant wind chill to start the day; effects tending to ease, though detail uncertain.
How Wet?
Often raining, most east
More often raining than not on hills near and east of the M74. Rain patchier to the west, though perhaps more frequent on upper terrain in the morning.,
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive on high terrain
High terrain around and east of the M74 stays in cloud most of the day, bases as low as 500-600m in rain. Some breaks possible west but also filling in here for periods, lowest in south Galloway.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few bright/sunny glimpses but often cloudy. Mixed visibility east, at times poor, better west, but also hazy.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1 or 2C, though starting locally near to 0C. Feeling like -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
700-800m to start the day, lifting to the high summits or just above.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Sunday 1st February 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Jan 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Detail uncertain: southeasterly 25-35mph at first, becoming variable but generally southerly and easing, 15-25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be mindful of changing conditions: walking often impeded in high exposed terrain and feeling cool, but also fairly small at times.
How Wet?
Periods of rain
Rain on-and-off for most mountains throughout the day, though falling for extended periods at times. Falling as sleet onto the high summits.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, often covering high terrain
Cloud covers the high tops most of the day, though a few odd breaks to summits are possible. Banks will lower as rain comes and goes, likely lowest in the south, down to middle slopes at times.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of sun, best chance north. Good visibility but variable, turning poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 or 1C, may rise slightly. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Around 800m.
Planning Outlook
Unsettled this weekend: often cloudy and patchy rain for most. Variable winds cause rapid local changes in cloud amounts, rain, and impact on walking. The freezing level may lift somewhat, isolating snowfalls to higher Scottish terrain. In the coming week, periods of precipitation and wind will affect most mountains at least every few days. Scottish Munros generally below freezing point, with snow cover and drifts most substantial from the Cairngorms to central and southern Highlands, some additional falls in the week ahead (with continued flooding risk too); much less precipitation northwestward. Hills in England and Wales may see a period of freezing levels above the summits as a southerly flow brings slightly milder air to the country. An indication of colder easterlies in February, though detail is very uncertain.