Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Mourne Mountains

Confidence

High for a much more unsettled week, medium for daily details and low for Friday

Mountain hazards

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.
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.

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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.

Mountain weather forecast

Cloudy with occasionally heavy rain, brightening later but chance of isolated heavy or thundery showers. Fresh south or southwest winds on the mountains.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Thunderstorm Heavy rain showers Sunny intervals
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
50%
50%
70%
40%
40%
20%

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 19mph knots
SW
19mph
SW 20mph knots
SW
20mph
SW 23mph knots
SW
23mph
S 17mph knots
S
17mph
SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
300m
300m SW 8mph knots
SW
8mph
SW 12mph knots
SW
12mph
SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
S 9mph knots
S
9mph
SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
W 7mph knots
W
7mph
Valley
Valley SW 5mph knots
SW
5mph
SW 8mph knots
SW
8mph
SW 11mph knots
SW
11mph
S 8mph knots
S
8mph
SW 7mph knots
SW
7mph
W 6mph knots
W
6mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 25mph 26mph 31mph 23mph 23mph 23mph
300m
300m 14mph 18mph 21mph 16mph 15mph 14mph
Valley
Valley 12mph 16mph 20mph 15mph 15mph 13mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 13 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3000m
2900m
2900m
2500m
2300m
2300m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Wet ground will bring slippery conditions on rocky surfaces with navigational difficulties adding to the day's hazards.

Weather

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, this turning heavy at times but with a few drier interludes. It will brighten later in the afternoon but still with the chance of one or two showers which could be heavy and thundery.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Little chance until mid to late afternoon then increasing 40%

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive cloud with bases 450-750m, the higher bases in shelter to the north of the main ranges, while nearer the coast they could be down around 300m at times. This will bring widespread poor visibility but even outside cloud, heavier outbreaks of rain and drizzle will also bring moderate to poor visibility. The cloud breaking later in the day but still the chance of some stubborn cloud banks on the tops.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast