Southern Uplands

The Galloway hills eastward to the Lammermuir hills. The Cheviots (including higher hills within the adjacent Northumberland NP).

Friday's Forecast

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Thu 16th Jul 26 at 4:24PM
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Viewing Forecast For

Southern Uplands
Friday 17th July 2026
Last updated Thu 16th Jul 26 at 4:24PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Dry conditions persist with high wildfire risk; some areas inaccessible due to fire hazards. Dawn sea fog over north/east Scotland and eastern Pennines largely clears, occasional patchy hill cloud drifts into north Scotland. Warm with sun and high cloud western areas, most hills cloud-free.

Headline for Southern Uplands

Warm sun west, milder with lingering low cloud far east

How windy? (On the summits)

North-northeasterly 5 to 15mph. Strongest wind in the east, and more widely 15-20mph for a few early hours from the M74 eastward.

Effect of the wind on you?

Mostly small, though breeze central and east areas for a few early hours.

How Wet?

Rain unlikely

An odd pocket of drizzle possible east of the Borders, minimal totals and elsewhere dry.

Cloud on the hills?

Early fog east gradually clears

A layer of fog affects middle and upper slopes east of the M74 at dawn (the Cheviot may be just near the top of the layer); some patches further west but well-broken, soon entirely dissipating. Borders and Lothians clear by midday, banks over the high Cheviots for a few afternoon hours, this later clearing too.

Chance of cloud free summits?

Rising to above 90% (Cheviot at 30% until afternoon)

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sunshine best in west, patchy fair-weather cloud and thin high cloud, most extensive sun later in the day. Visibility very good, slight low-level haze.

How Cold? (at 750m)

Starting 10C east to 15C west; little change with added height, summits may be slightly warmer). Rising a degree most areas, but some variability and always coolest in the east.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Southern Uplands
Saturday 18th July 2026
Last updated Thu 16th Jul 26 at 4:24PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Northerly (some variability), 10-20mph, strongest towards east coast, gusting 25mph over the Cheviot.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small, some nuisance gusts over high tops.

How Wet?

Little if any

Chance a few spots of drizzly rain here and there, amounting to little, if any.

Cloud on the hills?

Little expected

Some patchy low cloud on slopes near and east of the Borders, most extensive around the Cheviot to 500m. Fog soon lifts and dissipates, all cloud above the hills by late morning.

Chance of cloud free summits?

Rising to above 90%

Sunshine and air clarity?

A patchwork of cloud and sun, more extensive sunshine to the west early. Very good visibility.

How Cold? (at 750m)

8 to 10C at dawn, mildest west; rising to 10 or 11C east, up to 14C Galloway hills.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Southern Uplands
Sunday 19th July 2026
Last updated Thu 16th Jul 26 at 4:24PM

How windy? (On the summits)

North-northwesterly 5-15mph, strongest wind early over the Cheviot, gusting 20-25mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Mostly small, some nuisance gusts on high tops in the east early.

How Wet?

No rain expected

Cloud on the hills?

Hills clear

Chance a few pockets of fine mist in sheltered areas near coasts just at dawn, this soon fading for clear hills.

Chance of cloud free summits?

Above 90%

Sunshine and air clarity?

A patchwork of cloud and sun. Excellent visibility.

How Cold? (at 750m)

9 to 11C at dawn, coolest east, rising to 14C, or slightly cooler near coasts.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Planning Outlook

Settled summer weather continues through the weekend and next week as high pressure dominates. Extremely dry ground conditions persist with a high risk of wildfire. Temperatures will trend cooler, dropping below 10C on summits overnight in Scotland, but afternoon temperatures rising to warm or very warm; most persistently cooler in the far north where some cloud will be drawn onto high terrain and over tops at times with occasional light showery rain; high summits of the Scottish Highlands sometimes above a morning cloud inversion. Otherwise generally ongoing dry weather, with good amounts of sun and hill tops often clear of cloud. A change of weather pattern indicated late in the month brings scope for rain and thundery showers.