Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally unsettled, mild and changeable weather through this period. Lower confidence for the timings of rain later Thursday and on Friday, then a lot of uncertainty in the detail for the weekend.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Severe Chill Effect
Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Very windy with severe gales on the tops. A few showers in morning then a dry and sunny afternoon.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
40% | 40% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
39
|
SW
43
|
W
42
|
W
41
|
SW
31
|
SW
32
|
| 300m |
SW
18
|
W
20
|
W
23
|
W
21
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
| Valley |
SW
14
|
W
15
|
W
18
|
W
17
|
SW
13
|
SW
14
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 53 | 59 | 58 | 56 | 43 | 45 |
| 300m | 33 | 37 | 40 | 37 | 27 | 28 |
| Valley | 31 | 34 | 38 | 35 | 28 | 31 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A mild day in the valleys but cold and very windy at height with gusts of 55 to 65mph making progress difficult. Hazardous conditions on exposed ridges and summits with a significant risk of being blown over.
Weather
Showers this morning, some heavy with a small risk of hail and thunder but moving through quickly. A rather cloudy morning, then becoming dry and with long sunny spells in the afternoon. Dry with long clear spells in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, becoming 90% in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Mostly good visibility but patchy cloud above 600m overnight and morning with poor visibility at times in showers. Cloud clearing from all hills in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry night with clear spells then a dry morning but cloud increasing from the west. Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, developing during the afternoon. Strong winds with gales on the tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%, becoming 30% in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southwest 30 to 40mph gusts 50 to 60mph, easing later.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 3C rising to 6C.
- Valley Plus 7C rising to 10C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Mainly good visibility during the morning with just patchy summit cloud. Cloud lowering during the afternoon, becoming extensive above 500m with patches to lower slopes.
Mountain weather information
Fri 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain overnight, clearing east early in the morning, then a dry and bright day. Light winds, becoming strong from the southwest in the evening. Freezing level above summits.
Sat 13 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry and bright morning. Rain expected to spread east in the afternoon but low confidence for timings at this stage. Southwest winds strengthening, gales later. Freezing level above summits.
Sun 14 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Spells of rain or drizzle with low cloud and gale force southwest winds. Very mild.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Mourne Mountains are a granite mountain range in County Down in the southeast of Northern Ireland, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and has been proposed as the first National Park in Northern Ireland.