Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the general forecast with occasional wet and windy weather interspersed with sunny spells. Low confidence for timing of fronts Tuesday, and details for Wednesday.
This evening forecast
Clear spells and a few showers, these heavy at times and wintry above 200-300m. Clear summits and visibilities good between showers but falling rapidly poor as showers pass through. Strong westerly winds gusting 35-45mph.
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.
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.
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
Scattered wintry showers, more frequent around dawn. Cold. Windy.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
70% | 60% | 90% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
W
33
|
W
34
|
W
41
|
NW
31
|
NW
29
|
NW
30
|
NW
24
|
W
24
|
| 300m |
W
16
|
W
18
|
W
23
|
NW
20
|
NW
19
|
NW
19
|
NW
14
|
W
11
|
| Valley |
W
13
|
W
14
|
W
18
|
NW
15
|
NW
16
|
NW
17
|
NW
11
|
W
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 46 | 49 | 59 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 35 | 35 |
| 300m | 30 | 33 | 41 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 25 | 22 |
| Valley | 28 | 30 | 38 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 23 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
300m
|
300m
|
400m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-10°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gusts over 40mph will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Navigation could be challenging at times in temporary blizzard conditions in showers. Feeling bitterly cold at height especially when combined with strong winds so suitable clothing is advised.
Weather
Clear spells and scattered wintry showers in the morning, these turning to a longer spell of rain and summit snow for a few hours around dawn. Further scattered and blustery showers follow for the rest of the day but snow increasingly confined to higher routes through the afternoon. Showers gradually becoming more isolated later in the day. Strong winds with gale-force gusts at times in the morning. Cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% around dawn. Otherwise 70%
Low cloud and visibility
Clear summits and good visibilities between showers. Cloud bases dropping to around summit height and visibilities falling rapidly but temporarily poor as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A frontal system will cross through the morning bringing widespread low cloud, strong winds, and occasionally heavy rain. This clears east in the early afternoon followed by bright spells and further scattered, blustery showers, becoming wintry above 600-700m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less in the morning. 70% in afternoon and evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest in the morning, veering west to northwest later, 50-60mph.
Temperature
- At 700m 0C to plus 5C.
- Valley Plus 3C rising to plus 12C.
- Freezing level 1200-1400m falling to 800m.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and poor visibilities in rain and hill fog in the morning. This clearing to allow often clear summits and good visibilities, but cloud bases dropping to around summit height and visibilities falling rapidly but temporarily poor as any showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and a few showers in the morning. Mostly dry afternoon. Cloud and rain in the evening. Strong winds. Freezing level around 800m rising well above summits later.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Variable cloud and a few spots of rain. Mild. Fresh winds. Freezing level well above summits.
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence. Most likely cloudy with outbreaks of rain.
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.