Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence on a dry start to Thursday, but some uncertainty on timing and intensity of showery rain later. Low confidence on details for Saturday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Largely dry for much of the day followed by showery rain later and overnight. Fresh to strong winds at height, strengthening this evening.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 10% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SE
28
|
SE
19
|
SE
16
|
SE
14
|
SE
17
|
SE
26
|
| 900m |
SE
23
|
SE
16
|
SE
16
|
SE
15
|
SE
17
|
SE
25
|
| 600m |
SE
14
|
SE
10
|
SE
13
|
SE
11
|
SE
14
|
SE
17
|
| 300m |
SE
1
|
SE
1
|
SE
6
|
SE
7
|
SE
5
|
E
5
|
| Glen |
E
7
|
E
4
|
SE
7
|
SE
7
|
E
8
|
E
14
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 32 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 33 |
| 900m | 27 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 32 |
| 600m | 17 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| 300m | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 21 |
| Glen | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 24 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
13°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| 600m |
15°
|
16°
|
17°
|
17°
|
15°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
18°
|
20°
|
20°
|
17°
|
15°
|
| Glen |
18°
|
21°
|
23°
|
23°
|
20°
|
17°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,700m
|
2,800m
|
2,800m
|
2,800m
|
3,100m
|
3,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| 300m |
15°
|
19°
|
19°
|
19°
|
17°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
17°
|
21°
|
22°
|
22°
|
19°
|
15°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note strengthening winds later with gusts of 40-45mph by evening making for fairly arduous walking on exposed terrain with buffeting of clothing. Balance may be affected at times.
Weather
Largely dry for much of the day with hazy sunny periods and becoming warm in glens. Cloud spreading north from late afternoon bringing showers that build during the evening and night, introducing thunderstorms. Fresh to strong winds at height, strengthening in the evening with risk of gales on summits overnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% decreasing to 20% in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Dry and clear of low cloud for much of the day. Patchy low cloud will then increase late afternoon and thicken during the evening, with cloud bases 900-1000m. Visibility will generally good, perhaps falling to a few of kilometres in outbreaks of rain overnight.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A bright, humid day with some hazy sunny spells. Further cloud will tend to bubble up bringing the risk of showers, some of these possibly heavy and thundery. Warm in glens.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% increasing to 60% by afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Gusting 25-35 mph on summits and ridges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 12 rising 16 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 13 rising 22 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Patches of cloud around 700-800m to start the day will gradually lift to 1000-1100m in the afternoon. Visibility will be generally good, but briefly falling to a couple of kilometres in any heavy afternoon showers.
Mountain weather information
Sat 14 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy rain or showers spreading north. Rain potentially torrential with frequent lightning and gusty winds. Low confidence on details.
Sun 15 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Fresh to strong winds on summits.
Mon 16 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with few mainly light outbreaks of rain. Strong summit winds.
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