Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the general forecast with occasional wet, wintry and windy weather interspersed with sunny spells. Low confidence for timing of fronts Tuesday, and details for Wednesday
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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
Frequent snow showers in morning, more isolated by evening. Gales. Cold.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 70% | 70% | 50% | 30% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
W
46
|
W
40
|
W
44
|
NW
43
|
NW
35
|
W
25
|
| 900m |
W
41
|
W
37
|
W
41
|
NW
41
|
NW
33
|
W
24
|
| 600m |
W
24
|
W
23
|
W
28
|
W
28
|
W
21
|
W
13
|
| 300m |
W
2
|
W
4
|
W
8
|
NW
10
|
NW
6
|
W
3
|
| Glen |
W
10
|
W
10
|
W
17
|
W
21
|
W
14
|
W
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 52 | 47 | 53 | 52 | 42 | 31 |
| 900m | 47 | 43 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 30 |
| 600m | 30 | 29 | 36 | 37 | 29 | 20 |
| 300m | 33 | 30 | 38 | 38 | 29 | 21 |
| Glen | 24 | 21 | 33 | 38 | 27 | 15 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
300m
|
300m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-15°
|
-16°
|
-16°
|
-13°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
| 900m |
-13°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gale-force winds will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Navigation will 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. Lying snow will make for tricky conditions underfoot so suitable footwear is advised. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
Weather
Scattered to frequent showers in the morning, wintry down to 200-300m, with a chance of hail and lightning. These showers gradually becoming more isolated through the afternoon and evening. Strong winds with summit gales and gusty showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance early hours. 30% in morning, rising to 60% by evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and poor visibilities in hill fog and snow in the early hours. Thereafter, cloud bases will fall down to around 600-800m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as showers pass through, but clear summits and good visibilities at times between showers, increasingly so later through the day.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Widespread low cloud and rain or summit snow will spread east through the early morning. This clears in the late morning followed by frequent snow showers with a few limited and temporary bright spells in-between, with a small chance of hail and lightning. Again feeling bitterly cold with occasional gale-force winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance in early morning. 30% the rest of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
South-southwest in morning veering west-northwest, gusting 50-60mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2C falling to minus 2C.
- Glen Plus 2C rising to plus 7C.
- Freezing level 1000-1200m falling to 400m.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and poor visibilities in hill fog and rain or summit snow in the early morning. Thereafter, cloud bases will fall down to around 600-800m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as showers pass through, but some limited and temporary clear summits and good visibilities at times between showers.
Mountain weather information
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered snow showers in morning, becoming isolated in afternoon. Cloud and rain in evening. Strong winds. Freezing level 600m rising well above summits later.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Widespread low cloud with rain or drizzle. Milder. Freezing level above summits. Fresh winds.
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence. Likely cloud and rain in morning, perhaps drier later. Less windy.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Separated from the Grampians by the Great Glen the weather forecast area includes Wester Ross, Assynt, Sutherland, Knoydart, Torridon, Glen Affric and the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service