Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for generally unsettled conditions over the coming days but lower confidence in detail and timing of rain bands moving through from Sunday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Mostly cloudy with occasional showers and strong winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
20% | 00% | 20% | 60% | 20% | 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
19
|
SW
21
|
SW
23
|
W
26
|
W
30
|
W
32
|
| 300m |
SW
3
|
SW
5
|
SW
11
|
W
11
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
| Valley |
W
2
|
SW
4
|
SW
9
|
W
10
|
W
12
|
W
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 27 | 29 | 31 | 35 | 41 | 44 |
| 300m | 11 | 13 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 27 |
| Valley | 12 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong winds on the hills will make for challenging walking conditions. Care needed as hill fog and poor visibility will make for tricky navigation.
Weather
A mostly cloudy day with scattered showers but still some decent dry spells and a few brighter intervals. Showers most likely early morning and again late afternoon. Strong southwesterly winds with a low risk of gales on highest hills giving a wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10%
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread low cloud and hill fog with bases down to 600m, falling to 400m at times. A few bright spells and breaks in the cloud possible. Visibility generally poor in low cloud, and especially in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry start with clear spells. Cloud and rain spread eastwards from late morning with some heavy rain at times. Turning drier with largely clear skies from late afternoon onwards. Fresh southerly winds becoming strong southwesterly with a risk of gales on highest hills later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% early morning, becoming less than 10% from late morning and improving later to 90%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 15-20mph gusting 25-30mph, becoming southwesterly 30-35mph gusting 40-50mph.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 4C, rising to 8C in afternoon.
- Valley Plus 7C, rising to 11C in afternoon.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional low cloud early morning with base 600-800m, this becoming more widespread with arrival of rain from late morning with cloud bases dropping 300m at times. Skies clearing with only very isolated bases 600-800m lingering but plenty of clear skies. Visibility good but moderate to poor in low cloud and rain.
Mountain weather information
Mon 8 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and showers. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Tue 9 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud and rain spreading northeastwards. Strong winds with a risk of gales. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 10 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with sunny spells. Strong winds. Freezing level above summits.
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.