Southern Uplands
The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).
Today'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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Thursday 22nd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales in north England and Scotland, severe on the high Munros, gusting to storm force in the north; severe wind chills. Frequent or persistent rain across most mountains, falling as snow onto the high Munros from dawn, the snow level lowering with time; snow will be heavy with whiteout conditions in east Scotland.
Headline for Southern Uplands
Rainy and dull; gale force wind
How windy? (On the summits)
East-southeasterly 40 to 50mph, stronger gusts in places near and west of higher tops, and may strengthen further overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions across the hills, difficult in exposure and gusts potentially knocking you off balance, not just on the tops. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent rain, heavy in the west
Persistent rain over the Borders and Galloway, heavy falls on slopes facing the Solway. Less persistent but still frequent to the east, with precipitation turning to sleet then snow on the high tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding high terrain, bases around 500-600m, locally lower in southern Galloway and around the Cheviot as well. Some breaks higher up west of Beattock summit.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility poor in precipitation, a general haze, locally better west.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2C to start the day, slightly warmer on western Galloway slopes. Cooling with time to 0C for most hills. Wind chill feels as cold as -15C later in the day.
Freezing Level
Above freezing on most tops, but may drop just below freezing on central and eastern summits with time.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Easterly 40 to 45mph, stronger gusts in places near and west of higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions, challenging in exposure, gusts knocking you off balance (not just on tops). Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and hill snow east, patchier west
Often snowing above 600m in the east, rain/sleet below this level. Rain on and off west with snow flurries on high tops, though a greater chance of precipitation in the early morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops
Often covering higher slopes, bases around 400-500m, at times lower in Cheviots, also nearest the Solway, but some breaks higher up toward and west of Beattock summit.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some brighter moments toward Ayrshire. Visibility poor in precipitation, a general haze, locally better west.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 to +1C, mildest temperatures west of the M74, locally 2C Ayrshire slopes. Wind chill feels as cold as -15C.
Freezing Level
At or above the summits west of the M74, lower east, around 700-800m, though perhaps lower Lothians/Cheviots.
Viewing Forecast For
Southern Uplands
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the summits)
East to southeasterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty downslope west of major tops; may start to lessen with time - uncertain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, frequent buffeting gusts not just on highest terrain; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain, snow tops mostly east
Fairly persistent rain, sleet or hill snow above 600m Cheviots and Border hills, patchier amounts westwards, though showery rain may run onto Galloway coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Covering much higher terrain all day above 500 to 700m, base lowest in Cheviots. Some breaks in the cloud near and west from Beattock summit.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, dull. Poor visibility in rain, very poor if in snow and cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 or 1C. Directly in the wind feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
700 to 800m, lowest in east, whilst some western hills may be above freezing to higher tops.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale force easterlies over most mountains into the weekend, powerful gusts downslope toward west; severe chill factor. Colder air and lowering freezing level moves into Scotland on Friday, much mountain terrain then frozen into the weekend and early next week. Substantial snowfalls over eastern Scottish hills later this week, drier to the west. Dropping just below freezing on high tops in England and Wales - a mix of rain and high level snow, turning colder further south over the weekend, with freezing level dropping to the southern Pennines summits next week. Circulating low pressure and cold air into next week, with further snowfalls likely. Lower wind speeds early in the new week, but then likely increasing E-SE'ly again.