Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high confidence for very 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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Strong to gale force winds with showers, perhaps wintry, through much of the day.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 20% |
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
48
|
W
36
|
W
35
|
W
32
|
SW
36
|
SW
40
|
| 300m |
W
21
|
W
18
|
W
22
|
W
19
|
SW
20
|
SW
23
|
| Valley |
W
17
|
W
14
|
W
18
|
W
16
|
SW
17
|
SW
18
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 67 | 49 | 49 | 44 | 50 | 55 |
| 300m | 41 | 31 | 36 | 33 | 35 | 37 |
| Valley | 40 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 35 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
700m
|
800m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong to gale force winds and blustery showers will make for difficult walking conditions with risk of being blown over. Cold on the Mournes with wintry showers on the higher summits above 700m.
Weather
Largely cloudy with showers for much of the day, showers interspersed with some bright or sunny spells. Turning drier and cloudier in the evening. Some snow possible over the highest summits. Strong to gale force winds. Feeling cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%.
Low cloud and visibility
Some occasional low cloud with base 800m, possibly lowering to 700m at times in showers. Visibility generally very good but moderate to poor in cloud and showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry and cloudy start with a band of heavy rain spreading southeastwards through the morning. This will be followed by showers and some brighter spells. Showers will be wintry at times with snow down to 400m by the end of the day. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds may reach storm force in the morning. Feeling cold on higher routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% improving to 80% in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 50-60mph gusting 60-70mph in the morning, easing to 30-35mph gusting 35-45mph by end of the day.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 4 Celsius, falling to minus 1 Celsius in the evening.
- Valley Plus 7 or 8 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits, falling to 400m later.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional low cloud with base 600-800m through much of the morning and afternoon. Low cloud breaking up in the evening. Visibility poor in cloud and rain and showers, otherwise good.
Mountain weather information
Fri 13 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with some bright spells possible and outbreaks of rain. Strong, perhaps gale force, southwesterly winds. Freezing level 400m.
Sat 14 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with bright or sunny spells and some showers. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level 400-600m.
Sun 15 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A band of rain spreads eastwards, clearing to bright spells and showers. Strong west to southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to 800-1000m.
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.