Perthshire Highlands
A wild day on the tops in the Perthshire Highlands, with severe winds and sleet or snow on the tops. Not a day for the summits.
Sunshine and sky
Sunshine varies by period. Sunshine amounts vary between the morning, midday and later periods.
These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. The regional median prevents one unusually bright or dull summit cell defining the whole area.
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
High-ground wind (900 m)
At around 900 m, expect a south-westerly wind of 45–55 mph, gusting 65–75 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground.
Walking impact
Gusts of 65–75 mph are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives.
Spate risk
Severe spate risk based on recent and forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Timing and severity can vary between catchments. Check the peak forecast for the separate rain/runoff periods. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Heavy sleet early on, turning lighter by mid-morning. Expect 5–10 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is forecast during the morning, but models differ considerably on the amount. On some hills, sleet or snow is possible on the tops, with the balance depending on temperature. Visibility may drop briefly in showers in parts of the area. Sleet or snow is possible on some higher tops during the morning and afternoon, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 1100 to 1400 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain. On some higher summits there is a risk of blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon, when snow and strong winds coincide. Paths and footprints can quickly disappear beneath falling and blowing snow. Snow may collect in deeper drifts in hollows, behind boulders and on slopes sheltered from the wind. Exposed ground may be scoured while nearby drifts deepen. Wind-loaded slopes can also be avalanche terrain. Check the local avalanche forecast where one is available; this is not an assessment of slope stability.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 10% early, about 30% around midday and about 60% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by midday. The cloud base could be as low as 300–600 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Where snow covers the ground, the sky and hillside can merge into a featureless white view, making it difficult to judge slope or direction. Do not rely on following a visible path. Avoid exposed routes if you cannot navigate safely in these conditions, and turn back before visibility deteriorates.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is close to summit height.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:13, Sunset 16:45, about 9.5 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area: gusts of about 60 mph and around 11 mm of rain. 9Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Not a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area. Gusts reach about 60 mph around 900 m and nearer 45 mph around 300 m, strong enough to flatten or tear a tent. Check the forecast for the hill and height you have in mind, and don't assume lower ground will be sheltered. About 11 mm of rain is forecast overnight. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. The ground will be sodden after recent rain, so pick a firm, well-drained pitch.
Moon overnight
Waning gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 95%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- Outside this window
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 27 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 28 Oct, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 56.545, -4.221. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 26 mph / 43 mph
- Coldest
- 4.2°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 31 mph / 52 mph
- Coldest
- 3.2°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 37 mph / 61 mph
- Coldest
- 1.4°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.
Open-hillside guidance across representative hills. Local shelter, ridges, tent design and the exact pitch can change conditions substantially. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaSnow is likely to be lying on some high ground, with further snowfall possible. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 70 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Regional climbing & scrambling outlook
A broad guide to dampness and exposed rock across the area, not a forecast for every crag. Lower, sheltered crags and individual rock types may behave differently.
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 70 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes psammite, pelite or semipelite and quartzite. Rock can therefore respond differently to moisture between crags and routes.
Representative summit-point samples across the region; individual crags and routes may differ.
Generic exposed hands-on-rock terrain across representative summits; mapped summit-point geology is a broad regional sample, not a named-route survey. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Updated 27 October 2026 at 16:40 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Perthshire Highlands.