Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for complex low pressure remaining west of the UK maintaining a south to southwest flow with associated occasional showers.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with rain at times, snow above 500m, and near gale southwest summit winds.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Snow showers interspersed with the odd bright spell. Near gale south to southwest summit winds.
| 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) |
60% | 30% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 20% |
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 |
SW
29
|
S
27
|
S
26
|
SW
26
|
SW
26
|
SW
28
|
S
25
|
S
23
|
| 900m |
SW
29
|
S
26
|
S
26
|
SW
25
|
SW
24
|
SW
27
|
S
24
|
S
22
|
| 600m |
SW
19
|
S
16
|
S
18
|
SW
16
|
SW
16
|
SW
18
|
S
17
|
S
15
|
| 300m |
SW
4
|
S
3
|
S
5
|
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
SW
6
|
S
5
|
S
3
|
| Glen |
S
7
|
S
6
|
S
10
|
S
9
|
S
6
|
S
8
|
S
9
|
S
6
|
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 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 32 | 29 |
| 900m | 35 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 30 | 27 |
| 600m | 25 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 21 |
| 300m | 23 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 17 |
| Glen | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
700m
|
700m
|
700m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
It will feel bitterly cold in the strong wind and snow showers will lower the visibility at times. Ensure that you are properly equipped for these conditions.
Weather
Overnight rain, snow above 500m, will clear north overnight. Showers will soon follow, these frequent over coastal ranges in the west and falling as snow down to 400m. The best of any brightness will be found in the north.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% the best of these in the north.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will be broken 500-700m lowering at times in showers. The visibility will fall poor in cloud and showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with showers, snow above 400m, over Skye and Knoydart but mostly dry with sunny spells to the north of this.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% for most, lowering 30% in the far south.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 20-25mph gust 35mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 0C.
- Glen Minus 1C rising plus 5C.
- Freezing level 600m.
Low cloud and visibility
The visibility will be mostly good, falling poor in any showers. Sunny spells for most but broken cloud with base 500-700m in the far south.
Mountain weather information
Sat 17 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with bright spells. Fresh southerly summit winds. Freezing level 800m.
Sun 18 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy but dry. Strong southerly summit wind. Freezing level 700m.
Mon 19 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry but cloudy, showers, hill snow, in the southwest later. Near gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m.
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