Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
An unsettled week with a lot of uncertainty in the forecast towards the weekend. Showery at times on Tuesday and Wednesday with periods of strong winds. Freezing level mainly above 900m so no snow accumulations.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A dry but cloudy day with some sunny spells developing but low cloud lingering around summits.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 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
27
|
SW
35
|
SW
27
|
SW
20
|
SW
21
|
SW
21
|
| 300m |
SW
8
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
SW
10
|
SW
10
|
SW
9
|
| Valley |
SW
11
|
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
S
8
|
S
8
|
S
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 37 | 48 | 37 | 27 | 29 | 28 |
| 300m | 20 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
| Valley | 28 | 31 | 26 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong winds will enhance the chill effect out on the hills.
Weather
A largely cloudy day but a few bright or sunny spells breaking through, cloud persistent around hill tops. Strong southwesterly winds at height adding to the cold feel.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, persistent low cloud around the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered or broken layers of low cloud above 500m, cloud will lift at times from the summits but may linger around the higher tops for much of the day. Visibility will generally be good beneath any cloud layers. Visibility will be very poor in fog patches.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy but mainly dry. Low cloud will be a hazard at times around summits. Some sunny spells are likely to develop towards the east of the area, strong southwesterly winds through the day. Rain spreading east in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% low cloud around more southern and western summits for much of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 15mph gusts 25mph
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 2 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 7 Celsius
- Freezing level 900m rising to 1200m.
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered low cloud layers are likely from 400m upwards, the cloud will be patchier and higher based further east.
Mountain weather information
Thu 4 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Turning colder with showery conditions, wintry above 700m. Fresh southwesterly winds continuing.
Fri 5 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Strengthening southwesterly winds, rain spreading north, possibly turning wintry over the hills later.
Sat 6 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Strong southwesterly winds and outbreaks of rain or snow, a lot of uncertainty in the forecast for the weekend.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.