Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in remaining cold with wintry weather. High confidence for more persistent precipitation Tuesday and Thursday, but low confidence in exact details.
This evening forecast
Further frequent snow showers feed in from the north. Feeling bitterly cold even down to low levels. Strong northwest winds 30-40mph, gusting 40-50mph. Visibilities falling poor as snow showers pass through.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Frequent snow showers. Bitterly cold. Strong 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) |
80% | 80% | 90% | 90% | 80% | 80% | >95% | >95% |
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 |
N
30
|
NW
28
|
NW
30
|
NW
30
|
N
30
|
N
27
|
NW
26
|
NW
26
|
| 900m |
N
28
|
NW
26
|
NW
28
|
NW
28
|
N
28
|
N
24
|
NW
24
|
NW
24
|
| 600m |
N
18
|
N
17
|
NW
18
|
N
19
|
N
17
|
N
16
|
N
15
|
NW
14
|
| 300m |
N
5
|
N
5
|
NW
7
|
N
8
|
N
6
|
N
7
|
N
7
|
N
5
|
| Glen |
N
10
|
N
10
|
NW
11
|
N
13
|
N
12
|
N
11
|
N
11
|
N
10
|
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 | 37 | 35 | 38 | 38 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 33 |
| 900m | 35 | 33 | 36 | 36 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
| 600m | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
| 300m | 26 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| Glen | 24 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-18°
|
-18°
|
-18°
|
-18°
|
-19°
|
-18°
|
-18°
|
-18°
|
| 900m |
-17°
|
-16°
|
-16°
|
-17°
|
-17°
|
-17°
|
-17°
|
-17°
|
| 600m |
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
| 300m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
| Glen |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note the extremely low feels like temperatures. Gusts over 40mph will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance. Navigation could be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Strong winds and snow showers will provide blizzard conditions with visibility severely impacted. Keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from the SAIS (Scottish Avalanche Information Service).
Weather
Further scattered snow showers feed in from the northwest. These become heavier in the evening with a small chance of thunder and lightning. Feeling bitterly cold even to low levels. Strong northwest winds, chance of gale-force gusts over the highest summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% or less, best chances in the east.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud widespread down to 300-500m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as snow showers pass through with strong winds contributing to blizzard conditions. Limited chance of a few temporary breaks between the showers, best chances towards Ben Wyvis.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Frequent snow showers continue through much of the day. These likely becoming less frequent for a time through the late afternoon and early evening. Further outbreaks of snow in the evening. Remaining bitterly cold even to low levels.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% or less at first, rising to 40% later. Best chances in southeast.
Maximum wind speed expected
North to northwest, 20-30mph, gusting 30-40mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 9C to minus 5C.
- Glen Minus 6C rising to plus 0C.
- Freezing level All levels.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud widespread down to 300-500m and visibilities falling rapidly poor as snow showers pass through with strong winds contributing to blizzard conditions. Increasing chance of longer breaks between the showers through the afternoon late afternoon. Best chance of clearer conditions in the sheltered south towards Ben Wyvis, Strathfarrar, and Glen Affric.
Mountain weather information
Tue 6 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some snow showers in morning. Becoming more persistent later as freezing level rises to 400-600m for a time. Freshening west to southwest winds, veering northwest later. Feeling cold.
Wed 7 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and some snow showers. Freezing level back to the surface. Fresh to strong northerly winds gradually ease. Very cold.
Thu 8 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain and summit snow spread east with strengthening winds. Feeling cold.
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