Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Some uncertainty on the extent of mist and fog patches at first. High confidence for extremely cold and bitter conditions to be setting in by Friday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Morning mist and fog patches at low levels. Otherwise dry with patchy cloud developing.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
NW
16
|
NW
12
|
NW
18
|
NW
20
|
NW
25
|
W
30
|
| 300m |
NW
9
|
NW
8
|
NW
11
|
NW
11
|
NW
13
|
W
11
|
| Valley |
NW
9
|
NW
8
|
NW
10
|
NW
10
|
NW
11
|
W
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 22 | 17 | 26 | 30 | 36 | 42 |
| 300m | 16 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 24 |
| Valley | 17 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
200m
|
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Sub-zero temperatures and a freshening wind brings a significant wind chill on summits.
Weather
A cold day with mist and fog patches at low levels which will gradually clear through the morning, but largely clear of cloud above this at first. Some patchy cloud will then develop through the day and wind will become fresh to strong on summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally excellent visibility, but poor or very poor in morning mist and fog. Summits will be largely clear of cloud at first but some patches perhaps developing later around 700m
Mountain weather information
Weather
Fairly cloudy to start with a few outbreaks of rain. Quickly brightening with sunny spells and the odd shower, these falling as snow above 500m in the afternoon then to lower levels in the evening. Strong winds on summits and ridges with a bitter wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% at first, rising to 90% during the morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
Mean speeds 20-25mph, gusting 35-40mph on summits.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 1 Celsius decreasing Minus 2 Celsius later.
- Valley Plus 3 Celsius decreasing plus 1 Celsius later.
- Freezing level 800m decreasing to 500m in the afternoon, then 200m in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Patches of low cloud around 600m at first. Then cloud lifting above summit level with visibility generally good aside from brief deteriorations in any passing light showers.
Mountain weather information
Fri 2 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bitterly cold with sunny spells and a few snow showers at all level. Strong to gale force winds at height.
Sat 3 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining very cold in strong winds on the upper slopes. Occasional snow showers at all levels.
Sun 4 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright or sunny spells and snow showers. Another bitterly cold day.
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.