Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the very strong winds expected during the next couple of days, but some uncertainty on the timings of the snow turning to rain during Sunday.
This evening forecast
Scattered snow showers and becoming very unsettled by midnight with severe gales on summits.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Severe Chill Effect
Heavy Persistent Rain
Storm Force Winds
Poor Visibility
Blizzards
Heavy Persistent Snow
Mountain weather forecast
Blizzards in the morning to modest elevations, quickly turning to heavy rain. Extreme wind chill.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
S
51
|
S
60
|
S
73
|
S
60
|
S
51
|
S
50
|
SE
49
|
S
56
|
| 900m |
S
45
|
S
54
|
S
67
|
S
57
|
S
48
|
S
47
|
SE
45
|
S
51
|
| 600m |
S
30
|
S
38
|
S
46
|
S
35
|
S
28
|
S
29
|
SE
27
|
S
30
|
| 300m |
S
5
|
S
9
|
S
14
|
S
8
|
S
5
|
S
6
|
SE
5
|
S
8
|
| Glen |
S
14
|
S
20
|
S
24
|
S
19
|
S
17
|
S
16
|
SE
16
|
SE
20
|
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 59 | 71 | 87 | 71 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 67 |
| 900m | 53 | 65 | 80 | 68 | 58 | 56 | 54 | 62 |
| 600m | 37 | 48 | 59 | 48 | 40 | 39 | 36 | 42 |
| 300m | 36 | 47 | 54 | 42 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 44 |
| Glen | 34 | 44 | 49 | 40 | 36 | 33 | 33 | 44 |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
500m
|
1,400m
|
1,700m
|
1,900m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-14°
|
-15°
|
-16°
|
-13°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
| 900m |
-12°
|
-13°
|
-14°
|
-12°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
A day to remain at low elevations. Gusts in excess of 70mph on exposed upper slopes will make mobility almost impossible with a high risk of being blown over. Heavy rain and snow melt will lead to swollen watercourses and possible flooding of paths.
Weather
Blizzards at even modest elevations to start, with severe gale force winds on the upper slopes and storm force gusts on summits and ridges. Freezing level rises with snow quickly turning to rain in the morning, often heavy. Extreme wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
<5%
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud bases 600-700m but occasionally lower. Visibility a couple of kilometres below cloud bases but often deteriorating poor or very poor in snow or heavy rain.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Another very windy day with severe gales and potentially storm force gusts on summits and ridges. Mainly cloudy with scattered showers or perhaps longer spells of rain, falling as snow on summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%
Maximum wind speed expected
Gusting 60-70mph on summits and ridges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 Celsius decreasing Zero Celsius.
- Glen Plus 7 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1200m decreasing 800m
Low cloud and visibility
Fairly extensive 700-800m cloud bases in the morning, perhaps lifting and breaking up at times. Visibility will be generally good below cloud bases, but occasionally deteriorating to a few kilometres or less in showers.
Mountain weather information
Tue 13 Jan
Mainly cloudy with hill fog and showers or longer spells of rain and hill snow. Often windy. Freezing level 700m.
Wed 14 Jan
A mainly dry start but with the risk of rain and hill snow later. Freezing level 800m.
Thu 15 Jan
Variable amounts of cloud and patchy hill fog. Freezing level 1000m.
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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