Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for largely unsettled conditions but lower confidence on extent and timing of rain form Friday onwards.
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.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
Mountain weather forecast
Cold with showers, wintry on the tops
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
20% | 70% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 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 |
W
31
|
W
29
|
W
28
|
W
30
|
W
27
|
W
29
|
| 300m |
W
11
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
W
19
|
W
16
|
W
14
|
| Valley |
W
11
|
W
14
|
W
14
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
W
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 43 | 40 | 39 | 42 | 37 | 40 |
| 300m | 24 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 27 | 26 |
| Valley | 28 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 26 | 24 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
9°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,900m
|
1,000m
|
700m
|
600m
|
600m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-3°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong winds may make for slow progress, especially on higher routes. Note the drop in temperatures through the course of the day with wintry showers possible as freezing levels drop.
Weather
Bright and sunny spells with blustery showers, which may be heavy and wintry at times. Becoming drier with longer clear spells in the evening. Feeling cold on higher routes and to lower levels later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% early hours, improving to 90% by the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base 300-500m through early morning but cloud soon lifting and breaking. By the afternoon generally no low cloud but bases may fall to 700m at times in passing heavy showers. Visibility poor in cloud and rain or showers, otherwise good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry start with some clear then sunny spells. From late morning cloud will thicken as a band of heavy rain spreads northeastwards, clearing later in the evening. Fresh southwesterly winds becoming southeastelry and strengthening with gales through the afternoon and evening. Feeling cold on higher routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% much of the morning then decreasing to 10%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 15-20mph gusting 20-25mph becoming southeast 40-45mph gusting 50-60mph.
Temperature
- At 700m Minus 1C rising to plus 2C later.
- Valley Plus 3C rising to 7C later.
- Freezing level 400m rising above summits later.
Low cloud and visibility
No low cloud through early morning. From late morning low cloud with base 500-700m becoming widespread, falling to lower slopes in heavy rain. Visibility good in the morning, poor later in cloud and rain.
Mountain weather information
Sat 11 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry with sunny spells and a few showers. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 700m.
Sun 12 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright or sunny spells and showers. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level 700m, rising above summits.
Mon 13 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another day of bright or sunny spells and showers. Moderate to fresh 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.