Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for generally unsettled conditions over the coming days but lower confidence in detail and timing of rain bands moving through from Sunday.
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.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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
Mostly cloudy with clear spells. Gale to storm force winds in the morning easing.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 10% |
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
37
|
SE
27
|
SE
16
|
SE
13
|
SE
16
|
SE
17
|
| 900m |
SE
37
|
SE
29
|
SE
15
|
SE
12
|
SE
15
|
SE
16
|
| 600m |
SE
27
|
SE
20
|
SE
11
|
SE
9
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
| 300m |
E
10
|
E
11
|
E
6
|
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
SE
2
|
| Glen |
E
23
|
E
20
|
E
8
|
E
5
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 44 | 35 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 |
| 900m | 45 | 38 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 19 |
| 600m | 37 | 30 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| 300m | 28 | 22 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Glen | 38 | 30 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-9°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-5°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
3°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Strong winds with risk of gales and storm force winds in the morning will make for difficult walking conditions, cold also with severe wind chill risk. Low cloud will make for poor visibility and tricky navigation.
Weather
A mostly cloudy day with clearer spells at times and a few showers. Rain falling as snow to 700m in the early morning. Gale to storm force winds at first will ease through the morning.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional low cloud with bases down to 600m but with some good breaks at times giving clear intervals on the summits. Visibility generally poor in low cloud, and especially in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A largely dry and cloudy morning with some clear spells. Cloud and rain spread northeastwards through the afternoon with some heavy rain at times and snow only on the highest peaks. Turning drier with largely clear skies developing through the evening. Fresh southerly winds becoming strong southeasterlies with a risk of gales on highest hills later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in the morning, becoming less than 10% in the afternoon and improving to 70% later in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 15-20mph gusting 25-30mph, becoming southeasterly 30-35mph gusting 40-50mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2-3C.
- Glen Plus 6C.
- Freezing level Above summits falling to 1000 later.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud early morning with base 500-700m, this becoming more widespread with arrival of rain in the afternoon with cloud bases dropping 300m at times. Skies clearing in the evening with isolated bases 600-800m lingering but plenty of clear spells developing. Visibility good but moderate to poor in low cloud and rain.
Mountain weather information
Mon 8 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with heavy showers, snow above 1000m. Strong southwesterly winds and risk of gales. 1200m.
Tue 9 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud and rain spreading northeastwards. Snow falling over highest peaks. Strong winds with a risk of gales. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 10 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Strong winds and risk of gales. Freezing level 1200m.
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