Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a generally unsettled few days with heavy rain or showers at times. Low for details of any timings. A chance of more settled conditions by mid-week, but large uncertainty at this stage.
This evening forecast
A mainly dry evening and start to the night with a few isolated showers. Some late sunshine, then occasional clear spells after dark. Light to moderate winds across the summits.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mostly dry and bright, a few west coast showers. Rain in the evening.
| 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) |
20% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 60% | 70% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
S
11
|
E
8
|
E
11
|
SE
10
|
E
10
|
E
12
|
E
15
|
E
17
|
| 900m |
S
9
|
E
7
|
E
10
|
SE
9
|
E
10
|
E
12
|
E
15
|
E
17
|
| 600m |
S
6
|
E
4
|
E
5
|
SE
7
|
E
8
|
NE
9
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
| 300m |
S
1
|
NE
1
|
E
3
|
SE
3
|
E
3
|
E
4
|
SE
5
|
E
5
|
| Glen |
S
1
|
N
1
|
N
1
|
S
2
|
W
4
|
N
5
|
NE
5
|
NE
8
|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 23 |
| 900m | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 |
| 600m | 8 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 18 |
| 300m | 7 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Glen | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| 900m |
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
17°
|
19°
|
19°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
19°
|
20°
|
21°
|
20°
|
18°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,800m
|
2,700m
|
2,700m
|
2,500m
|
2,600m
|
2,700m
|
3,000m
|
3,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| 600m |
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
18°
|
19°
|
19°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
16°
|
16°
|
17°
|
20°
|
20°
|
21°
|
20°
|
18°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Some uncertainty in timing of rain later in the day, and its intensity. Moderate to high UV levels, sun protection recommended.
Weather
Dry overnight and through daylight hours for most hills, but occasional showers will affect western coastal hills. Mostly cloudy, but some brighter spells. During the evening and start of the night outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain will spread northwest.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%, falling to 30% in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Very good visibility with patchy early morning cloud gradually lifting above the summits, slowest to clear over the Caithness hills. Cloud bases lower from late afternoon, falling to 600m early evening, then to lower slopes, but west coast hills often remaining cloud free.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Heavy rain eases through the early hours, but further heavy outbreaks of rain are likely to move northwest after dawn. Then further heavy showers or outbreaks of rain at times for much of the day. Turning drier around dusk.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%
Maximum wind speed expected
East 25-30 gusting 35 mph, occasionally 40-45 mph across the higher summits. Wind turning Southerly 20-25 mph in the evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 12 Celsius rising to 15 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 16 Celsius rising to 19 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally very poor visibility in extensive low cloud, bases 600-800m, although cloud occasionally lifting to 1000m. Western coastal hills often free of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Mon 21 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A warm day with light winds. Heavy showers breaking out, with a risk of thunderstorms at times.
Tue 22 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further showers, heavy at times, some sunny spells. Light winds
Wed 23 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A chance of some drier more settled conditions developing, although large uncertainties.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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