Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Mourne Mountains

Confidence

High confidence for a mostly settled Sunday but otherwise largely unsettled with occasionally strong winds. Lower confidence for rainfall details on Monday, and for developments on Wednesday

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

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.

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.

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

Heavy rain, strong winds early morning. Bright spells, variable cloud later.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 600m)
Weather symbols Heavy Rain Light rain showers Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Cloudy Cloudy
Chance of
precipitation
(at 600m)
Chance of precipitation
≥95%
60%
20%
40%
30%
30%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m SW 39mph knots
SW
39mph
SW 35mph knots
SW
35mph
W 29mph knots
W
29mph
W 27mph knots
W
27mph
W 20mph knots
W
20mph
NW 15mph knots
NW
15mph
300m
300m SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 14mph knots
W
14mph
W 10mph knots
W
10mph
NW 6mph knots
NW
6mph
Valley
Valley SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
SW 14mph knots
SW
14mph
W 14mph knots
W
14mph
W 13mph knots
W
13mph
W 8mph knots
W
8mph
NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 53mph 48mph 41mph 38mph 29mph 21mph
300m
300m 31mph 30mph 28mph 25mph 18mph 13mph
Valley
Valley 30mph 31mph 29mph 26mph 18mph 13mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 7 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 11 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 13 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3700m
2700m
2600m
2800m
2800m
2800m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Gusts of 50-60mph at height in the morning will give very difficult walking conditions with progress highly impeded and a significant risk of being blown over. Much improved conditions in the afternoon and evening.

Weather

Outbreaks of heavy rain spread east in the early morning, persistent for a time, before clearing shortly after dawn. This accompanied by widespread summit gales. Variable cloud, bright spells and a few light showers through the afternoon and evening as winds gradually ease.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Little chance early hours. Rising to 60% from mid-morning, 80% or higher evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Widespread cloud down to 300-500m in the early morning with poor visibilities in hill fog and heavy rain. This cloud gradually lifting and breaking through the day with summits often clear but still areas down to 700m or so at times. Cloud well above summits by evening.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast