Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for generally unsettled and windy conditions over the coming days. Low confidence in timing of rain on Thursday.
This evening forecast
Dry with and mostly cloudy but cloud above the summits and clear intervals at times. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds. Feeling chilly on highest routes.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with a little rain at first, dry with sunny spells later.
| 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) |
00% | 40% | 30% | 10% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
SW
17
|
W
23
|
W
20
|
W
17
|
NW
17
|
NW
19
|
NW
19
|
NW
15
|
| 300m |
W
6
|
W
10
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
NW
10
|
NW
12
|
NW
11
|
NW
7
|
| Valley |
W
4
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
W
5
|
NW
9
|
NW
11
|
NW
9
|
NW
5
|
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 | 24 | 34 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 21 |
| 300m | 13 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 14 |
| Valley | 11 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
2,000m
|
2,100m
|
1,700m
|
1,200m
|
900m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Tricky navigation in low cloud at times and feeling cold on higher routes.
Weather
Cloudy in the morning with outbreaks of light rain at times. Dry in the afternoon with sunny spells developing. Fresh winds, breezy and feeling chilly on highest summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Mostly 90% but 10% for a time mid-morning to early afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Some isolated low cloud with base 700-800m throughout the day but cloud bases lowering and becoming widespread for a time mid-morning to early afternoon, bases 300-500m. Visibility poor in cloud, otherwise very good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly cloudy with some brighter spells most likely in the morning. Largely dry also but the odd spot of light rain possible in the afternoon. Southwesterly winds becoming strong later in the day, possibly reaching gale force on highest summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 25-30mph gusting 40-50mph.
Temperature
- At 700m 0C rising to plus 5C later.
- Valley Plus 3C rising to 9C later.
- Freezing level 700m rising above summits later.
Low cloud and visibility
Some isolated and patchy low cloud with base 600-800m but most cloud remaining above summits. Visibility very good outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Tue 24 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with a band of heavy rain spreading southeastwards, followed sunny spells and heavy showers. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits, falling to 300m by end of the day.
Wed 25 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with heavy showers, turning drier in the evening. Strong to gale force northwesterly winds. Freezing level 300 rising to 600m.
Thu 26 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry and cloudy with some bright spells, rain arriving later. Fresh southwestery winds. Freezing level around 600m.
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.