Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Confidence

Low for extent of showers on Saturday. High for changeable weather to continue into next week.

Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

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.

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

Windy with showery rain spreading east in the afternoon and evening

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Heavy rain showers Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
20%
20%
60%
60%
60%
40%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m S 36mph knots
S
36mph
S 36mph knots
S
36mph
S 34mph knots
S
34mph
S 38mph knots
S
38mph
S 36mph knots
S
36mph
S 24mph knots
S
24mph
900m
900m S 33mph knots
S
33mph
S 33mph knots
S
33mph
S 33mph knots
S
33mph
S 35mph knots
S
35mph
S 33mph knots
S
33mph
S 21mph knots
S
21mph
600m
600m S 23mph knots
S
23mph
S 24mph knots
S
24mph
S 25mph knots
S
25mph
S 23mph knots
S
23mph
S 22mph knots
S
22mph
S 14mph knots
S
14mph
300m
300m S 2mph knots
S
2mph
S 3mph knots
S
3mph
S 9mph knots
S
9mph
S 5mph knots
S
5mph
S 5mph knots
S
5mph
SW 2mph knots
SW
2mph
Glen
Glen S 6mph knots
S
6mph
S 8mph knots
S
8mph
S 13mph knots
S
13mph
S 11mph knots
S
11mph
S 11mph knots
S
11mph
S 5mph knots
S
5mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m 41mph 43mph 43mph 46mph 44mph 30mph
900m
900m 39mph 40mph 41mph 43mph 41mph 27mph
600m
600m 29mph 30mph 34mph 32mph 30mph 20mph
300m
300m 25mph 25mph 30mph 30mph 29mph 16mph
Glen
Glen 20mph 20mph 27mph 27mph 25mph 14mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius
900m
900m 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius
600m
600m 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 16 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius
Glen
Glen 17 degrees Celsius 18 degrees Celsius 18 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
2800m
2600m
2700m
3000m
3200m
3200m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Be prepared for summit gales throughout the day leading to slow progress and a risk of being blown over. Drenching conditions will develop in rain.

Weather

Dry in the morning. Becoming cloudier in the afternoon with showers or some longer spells of rain extending east. Windy.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

50%, best chance in the morning

Low cloud and visibility

Good visibility in the morning with patchy cloud around 900 metres. Cloud becoming more extensive and lowering to 800 to 900 metres in the afternoon, more especially as showers pass by.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast