Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high confidence in the evolution. High confidence for hazardous conditions on Saturday.
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.
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.
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.
Poor Visibility
Poor visibility presents challenging route finding conditions. Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references, especially on featureless moors or plateaux. Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloud and rain. Widespread gales developing. Stormy later.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
40% | 80% | 30% | 20% | 90% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
S
12
|
SE
29
|
S
40
|
S
41
|
SW
47
|
W
40
|
| 300m |
S
3
|
SE
16
|
S
22
|
S
23
|
SW
26
|
W
26
|
| Valley |
SE
2
|
SE
14
|
S
18
|
S
19
|
SW
21
|
W
21
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 18 | 38 | 54 | 56 | 65 | 55 |
| 300m | 8 | 26 | 38 | 40 | 45 | 42 |
| Valley | 6 | 26 | 35 | 37 | 43 | 38 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
3°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
4°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
600m
|
600m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,200m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-8°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-9°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
-2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
0°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strengthening winds to all levels through the day will mean any mobility will be almost impossible on exposed ground with a risk of being blown off your feet. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised.
Weather
Cloudy with occasional rain snow developing in the morning with snow above 600m at first. Sporadic rain in the afternoon. Rain turning heavier later in the afternoon, as southerly gales develop to quite low elevations. Winds strengthen further to storm-force through the evening as Storm Dave continues to pass northeast, rain clearing later in evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% first thing falling 20%.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud initially above hills, but falling to 500-700m and visibilities falling poor as rain, summit snow or showers pass through at times.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Storm-force winds associated with Storm Dave will ease soon after midnight. From dawn bright spells and scattered showers through the rest of the day, these wintry above 500m or so. Showers heavy at times with a small risk of hail and becoming quite frequent for a time in the morning with gusts to gale-force possible. Showers more isolated through the afternoon, mainly dry by evening. Feeling bitterly cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 75%, falling to 40% for a time in the morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 60-70mph early hours. Westerly 25-35mph, gusting 35-50mph during daylight.
Temperature
- At 700m Minus 2C to 0C.
- Valley Plus 4C rising to plus 8C by day.
- Freezing level 500-700m.
Low cloud and visibility
Often clear summits and good visibilities. Cloud down to around summit height and visibilities rapidly falling poor as showers pass through, most frequent for a few hours in the morning.
Mountain weather information
Mon 6 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and variable cloud. Chance of some rain for a time. Light winds at first, becoming strong southerly. Freezing level rising well above summits.
Tue 7 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry start with variable cloud. Rain spreading east later. Strong southerly winds. Freezing level well above summits.
Wed 8 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry interludes and spells of rain at times. Fresh to strong southerly winds.
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.