Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Confidence

High confidence for the general evolution with cloud and patchy light drizzle interspersed with sunny spells at times.

Mountain hazards

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

Cloudy morning and late evening, sunny afternoon. Mild. Light winds.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny Sunny Sunny Clear night
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
10%
<5%
<5%
<5%
<5%
<5%

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 N 9mph knots
N
9mph
N 12mph knots
N
12mph
N 14mph knots
N
14mph
N 15mph knots
N
15mph
N 18mph knots
N
18mph
N 17mph knots
N
17mph
900m
900m N 9mph knots
N
9mph
N 11mph knots
N
11mph
N 14mph knots
N
14mph
N 15mph knots
N
15mph
N 16mph knots
N
16mph
N 15mph knots
N
15mph
600m
600m N 8mph knots
N
8mph
N 11mph knots
N
11mph
N 13mph knots
N
13mph
N 13mph knots
N
13mph
N 13mph knots
N
13mph
N 11mph knots
N
11mph
300m
300m N 4mph knots
N
4mph
N 4mph knots
N
4mph
N 7mph knots
N
7mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
N 9mph knots
N
9mph
N 6mph knots
N
6mph
Glen
Glen N 6mph knots
N
6mph
N 8mph knots
N
8mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
N 11mph knots
N
11mph
N 9mph knots
N
9mph
N 6mph knots
N
6mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m 12mph 16mph 19mph 21mph 23mph 21mph
900m
900m 11mph 15mph 19mph 20mph 21mph 20mph
600m
600m 11mph 14mph 18mph 18mph 18mph 15mph
300m
300m 10mph 13mph 17mph 19mph 20mph 18mph
Glen
Glen 12mph 14mph 19mph 20mph 19mph 15mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m 5 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius
900m
900m 6 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius
600m
600m 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 12 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
Glen
Glen 14 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
2400m
2300m
2600m
2500m
2300m
2600m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Although cooler than recent days, it will still be warm in sunshine so suitable hydration and protection from high UV levels is advised.

Weather

Quite extensive low cloud in the early morning, the best chances of clear skies over southern ranges. This will gradually break and retreat back to the coast through the morning, leaving good sunny spells for all ranges through the afternoon. Low cloud will start to spread back south in the late evening. Feeling a little cooler than recent days, but still warm in sunshine.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

50% in the early morning, best chances in south. Rising to 90% by afternoon. Falling to 50% again in north through late evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Quite widespread cloud down to 300-400m or so in the morning, though the highest summits may poke out above the cloud layer, with cloud more broken and clear summits around the more sheltered southern ranges such as Glen Affric and the northern parts of the Great Glen. This cloud retreating through the morning to leave clear summits and good visibilities through the afternoon. Cloud returns from the north through the evening.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast