Deeside Weather
Deeside
lies to the east of the main Cairngorm mountains and within their
rain shadow, making it one of the driest places in the highlands
of Scotland. The weather is more continental than maritime, and when
Atlantic fronts bring rain across the western seaboard it can often
be warm and sunny here. Its position also brings extremes in weather,
with Braemar recording both the highest and lowest temperatures in
Scotland. Conditions vary considerably in different years and throughout
the seasons so beware, while Deeside may be drier than the west,
you can expect downpours, snow or fine sunny weather at almost any
time of year!
Spring
Sometimes sees a long period of warm, settled weather, when the
valleys heat up but the snow on the high tops has yet to melt.
Nights are still cold, though daytime temperatures can reach 20oc. Summer
July and August can be wet or dry depending upon the year. Rain
isn't all bad news though - the clouds swirling around the mountains
give Deeside a very dramatic feel.
Both nights and days are mild, with average temperatures ranging
from 15-25oc. Autumn
Often sees a return to more settled weather, with the last of the
year's sun catching the golden colours of the changing birch trees.
Temperatures vary and it is not uncommon to see the first snows
on the hills in September. Winter
More changeable, with anything from clear, crisp days to wet winter
gales and snow storms. Rainfall is heaviest during the winter months.
Expect snowfall any time between October and April. Generally the
area holds snow longer than anywhere else in Scotland, with some
sheltered gullies and high plateau holding snow well into the summer.
The average daytime temperature in the glens is around 5oc, though
it is not uncommon for it to drop as low as -10oc for days at a
time between December and February.
For more information, click on the links below
Click
here for North Scotland forecast.
Click
here for the latest avalanche forecast, essential to check this
before setting off to the hills in winter)
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