Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Confidence

High for changeable weather to continue into early next week.

Mountain hazards

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.
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.
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

Partly cloudy with a chance of showers, wintry on the higher tops

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Sleet showers Hail showers Hail showers Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
70%
40%
40%
40%
40%
30%

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 SW 19mph knots
SW
19mph
SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
SW 18mph knots
SW
18mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 12mph knots
W
12mph
SW 10mph knots
SW
10mph
900m
900m SW 18mph knots
SW
18mph
SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 12mph knots
W
12mph
SW 11mph knots
SW
11mph
600m
600m SW 11mph knots
SW
11mph
SW 15mph knots
SW
15mph
SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
W 13mph knots
W
13mph
W 8mph knots
W
8mph
SW 7mph knots
SW
7mph
300m
300m W 2mph knots
W
2mph
SW 6mph knots
SW
6mph
SW 7mph knots
SW
7mph
W 5mph knots
W
5mph
SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
SW 2mph knots
SW
2mph
Glen
Glen W 1mph knots
W
1mph
SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
W 9mph knots
W
9mph
W 7mph knots
W
7mph
SW 2mph knots
SW
2mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m 22mph 21mph 23mph 22mph 16mph 14mph
900m
900m 21mph 21mph 23mph 21mph 15mph 14mph
600m
600m 14mph 20mph 19mph 18mph 12mph 10mph
300m
300m 15mph 17mph 18mph 16mph 11mph 10mph
Glen
Glen 7mph 16mph 16mph 16mph 12mph 6mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m -7 degrees Celsius -6 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius
900m
900m -6 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius
600m
600m -1 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 4 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
Glen
Glen 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1000m
1000m
1000m
1100m
1100m
1000m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Freezing level will remain low for May. Be prepared for significant wind chill and drenching or wintry showers.

Weather

Variable amounts of cloud and scattered showers or some longer spells of rain, these turning heavy at times with a chance of hail and thunder. Sleet or snow will fall above 900 metres.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

60%

Low cloud and visibility

Areas of cloud down to 850 metres as showers pass by, and patches down to 600 metres across the west of the area at first. Otherwise cloud confined to the highest tops by afternoon.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast