Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high confidence for strong winds and heavy rain at times over the next few days. Low confidence over the weekend, particularly in relation the timing of the band of rain spreading eastwards Sunday.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Strong to gale force winds with heavy rain from late morning, drier in the evening.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
60% | >95% | >95% | 90% | 40% | 30% |
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
46
|
SW
51
|
W
34
|
SW
31
|
SW
37
|
SW
35
|
| 300m |
SW
23
|
SW
26
|
W
21
|
SW
18
|
SW
20
|
SW
20
|
| Valley |
SW
17
|
SW
20
|
W
16
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
SW
16
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 62 | 68 | 46 | 41 | 51 | 48 |
| 300m | 40 | 45 | 35 | 29 | 34 | 33 |
| Valley | 38 | 42 | 32 | 27 | 32 | 31 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
9°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,100m
|
800m
|
600m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-7°
|
-10°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A windy and wet day. Heavy downpours and strong to gale, perhaps storm force, winds will make for difficult and strenuous walking conditions with a risk of being blown over. Tricky navigation in poor visibility caused by low cloud and rain.
Weather
A cloudy and dry start. Heavy rain spreading southeastwards from late morning, clearing late afternoon to leave a largely dry evening with just the odd shower possible. A little sleet or snow on highest summits possible later in the day. Strong to gale force winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% morning and afternoon, improving to 80% through the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud bases down to 600-800m, this most widespread and possibly to lower slopes in heavy rain. Cloud lifting in the evening to above summits. Visibility poor in cloud and rain, otherwise good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A mostly dry and cloudy morning with a few bright or sunny intervals and perhaps the odd shower. Heavier rain at times through the afternoon before becoming dry with clear spells later. Snow falling to higher routes. Strong southwesterly winds reaching gale force at times in the morning.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%, falling to 40% for a time in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 40-45mph gusting 50-60mph easing to west 25-30mph gusting 30-35mph.
Temperature
- At 700m Minus 3C rising to minus 1.
- Valley Plus 1C rising to 5C in the afternoon.
- Freezing level 200m rising to 500m.
Low cloud and visibility
Isolated low cloud bases down to 800-1000m, becoming more widespread and perhaps falling to lower bases in the afternoon in heavier rain. Visibility poor in cloud and rain.
Mountain weather information
Sat 14 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with some brighter intervals. A few showers possible but largely dry. Fresh to strong southwesterly winds.
Sun 15 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with a band of rain spreading eastwards to clearer spell and showers. Strong to gale force westerly winds.
Mon 16 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and a few showers. Strong to gale force southwesterly 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.