Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in unsettled weather remaining. Lower confidence for exact details from Wednesday.
This evening forecast
Clear spells and a few showers to start with. Becoming increasingly overcast through the evening as rain becomes more persistent and visibilities dropping poor as a result. Precipitation falling as snow above around 700m. Small chance of lightning and hail. Strong south to southeast winds 45-55mph, gusting over 60mph over the highest summits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Cloudy and windy with persistent showery rain, summit snow. Lightning risk. Cold.
| 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% | 70% | 60% | 90% | >95% | >95% | >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 |
SE
33
|
S
33
|
S
38
|
S
40
|
S
47
|
SW
50
|
SW
44
|
SW
38
|
| 900m |
SE
29
|
S
30
|
S
34
|
S
37
|
S
45
|
SW
46
|
SW
41
|
SW
36
|
| 600m |
SE
20
|
S
21
|
S
22
|
S
27
|
S
31
|
SW
32
|
SW
29
|
SW
25
|
| 300m |
SE
2
|
S
4
|
S
3
|
S
7
|
S
10
|
SW
10
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
| Glen |
SE
10
|
S
11
|
S
13
|
S
15
|
S
20
|
SW
20
|
SW
15
|
SW
12
|
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 | 40 | 40 | 46 | 49 | 59 | 62 | 55 | 48 |
| 900m | 35 | 37 | 42 | 46 | 56 | 58 | 52 | 46 |
| 600m | 26 | 28 | 30 | 36 | 44 | 44 | 40 | 35 |
| 300m | 24 | 25 | 28 | 33 | 42 | 43 | 37 | 34 |
| Glen | 25 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 41 | 41 | 33 | 28 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
800m
|
700m
|
800m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-11°
|
-10°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts over 50-60mph will give very difficult walking conditions with progress highly impeded and a significant risk of being blown over. Quite extensive low cloud and occasional blizzard conditions will make navigation very challenging. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
Weather
Largely cloudy through the day with quite persistent outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain, snow above 700-800m at first rising to 900-1000m later. Chance of hail and lightning at times. Strong south to southwest winds with summit gales. Best chance of any temporary sunny spells over the north and east.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%, best chances in north and east.
Low cloud and visibility
Largely cloudy with quite extensive areas down to 500-700m. Visibilities falling poor in rain and summit snow.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Showers become less frequent through the early morning, allowing for some good dry and sunny spells. Cloud building in the afternoon brings further scattered showers, again dying out in the evening. Showers heavy at times with a risk of hail and lightning. Cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, best chances mid-morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
South to southwest 20-30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1C rising to plus 3C.
- Glen Plus 3C rising to plus 8C by day.
- Freezing level 700-900m.
Low cloud and visibility
Good visibilities and clear summits between showers. Visibilities falling rapidly and temporarily poor and cloud down to around summit height as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Tue 14 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
The odd early morning shower possible. Otherwise dry with bright or sunny spells. Chance of cloud and rain in late evening. Light southerly winds, strengthening later. Freezing level 800m rising to 1200m later.
Wed 15 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with rain, heavy at times. Showers later. Strong south to southeast winds, veering southwest. Freezing level above summits.
Thu 16 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and showers. Strong southwest winds. Freezing level around 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