Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence on the cool, unsettled and showery pattern this weekend followed by milder conditions from Monday night. Low confidence on rainfall detail on Tuesday.
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.
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
A cold day with bright spells and frequent showers, some heavy with hail and low risk thunder. Windy on the tops.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 50% | 50% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SW
29
|
SW
22
|
SW
22
|
W
21
|
SW
22
|
SW
22
|
| 900m |
SW
26
|
SW
20
|
SW
22
|
W
21
|
SW
21
|
SW
22
|
| 600m |
SW
16
|
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
12
|
SW
14
|
| 300m |
SW
1
|
W
2
|
W
5
|
W
5
|
SW
3
|
SW
2
|
| Glen |
SW
4
|
W
5
|
W
5
|
W
8
|
SW
5
|
S
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 33 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 |
| 900m | 31 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 |
| 600m | 21 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 |
| 300m | 22 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 |
| Glen | 16 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 15 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
700m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
| 900m |
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Expect winter conditions with a bitter windchill on summits. Gusts to around 35-40mph in showers during daytime may make for some arduous walking on exposed terrain, balance may be affected at times.
Weather
A bright, cold day with frequent snow showers, these falling as rain below 500m. Some showers heavy bringing patchy hill fog alongside a risk of hail and the odd rumble of thunder. Winds strongest in the morning, easing slightly into the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, best chances in the east.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases occasionally shrouding highest summits, especially near showers where bases will occasionally drop to 600m with brief visibility deteriorations below. Outside of showers visibility will be very good, occasionally reduced by blowing snow.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A band of rain, sleet and snow clears east during the morning followed by heavy blustery showers. These showers falling as snow down to increasingly lower levels during the day alongside a risk of hail and isolated thunder.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% increasing to 60% in the afternoon, best chances in the east.
Maximum wind speed expected
Mean speed 30-40mph on summits, gusting to 50mph frequently before dawn, then occasionally in showers thereafter.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 Celsius, rising briefly 2 Celsius for a time in the morning.
- Glen Plus 3 Celsius rising to 6 Celsius.
- Freezing level 500-700m, but 1200m for a time in the morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases around 800-1000m at first, lifting slightly through the day and breaking up at times between showers.
Mountain weather information
Mon 16 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with frequent showery outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow. Freezing level 800m, but turning much milder overnight with freezing level rising above summits. Gales or severe gales on summits.
Tue 17 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Another very windy day with severe gales on summits. Freezing level above all summits.
Wed 18 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with the risk of rain tending to ease through the day. Fresh to strong winds on summits.
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