Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

Low for extent of persistent rain on Wednesday. High for drier conditions later in the week and over the weekend.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

This evening forecast

Partly cloudy with a few showers, these becoming less frequent towards midnight.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.

hazard Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
hazard 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 with rain at times, occasionally heavy in the far east. Drier in the west.

Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Heavy rain Heavy rain Heavy rain Light shower (day) Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
00% 20% 60% 50% 50% 50% 40% 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 S
19
SE
16
E
13
E
13
NE
9
N
11
NW
15
W
18
900m S
18
SE
14
E
12
E
14
NE
8
N
11
NW
14
W
17
600m S
11
SE
9
E
9
E
9
NE
6
N
7
NW
9
W
10
300m S
1
SE
1
E
5
E
6
NE
4
N
6
NW
6
W
5
Glen SE
5
E
5
E
8
E
8
NE
5
N
4
NW
4
W
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 22 19 16 17 12 14 19 22
900m 21 17 15 18 12 14 18 21
600m 16 12 12 14 10 11 13 15
300m 11 8 10 13 9 12 14 16
Glen 9 9 11 14 9 9 9 12

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m
900m
600m
10°
10°
10°
10°
300m
10°
10°
10°
12°
13°
13°
12°
11°
Glen
13°
13°
12°
14°
15°
15°
14°
13°
Freezing Level
1,900m
1,900m
1,900m
1,900m
2,100m
2,200m
2,100m
2,000m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m
900m
600m
300m
10°
10°
11°
12°
12°
11°
10°
Glen
12°
12°
11°
13°
14°
14°
14°
13°

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Some drenching conditions possible in rain.

Weather

A cloudy day with outbreaks of rain spreading north through the morning, these likely merging into some longer spells of rain across the east of the area, but some uncertainty in westward extent. Rain will be heavy at times. Drier weather is likely along the west coast, and then extend inland from the west through the late afternoon and evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

50%, best chance across the Cuillins, and northern Lochaber

Low cloud and visibility

Areas of cloud down to 700 to 900 metres but only small amounts of summit cloud likely in the more sheltered west of the area, Skye and northern Lochaber most favoured.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Variable amounts of cloud along with a few passing showers, these may be occasionally heavy with a chance of thunder. Showers becoming less widespread in the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

80%

Maximum wind speed expected

Westerly 25 mph

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 9 Celsius
  • Glen Plus 7 rising to 19 Celsius
  • Freezing level Above the summits

Low cloud and visibility

Good visibility with good air clarity. Some patchy cloud down to 700 metres at first, otherwise patchy cloud above 900 metres

Mountain weather information

Fri 5 Sep

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Chance of a few light showers at first, otherwise dry with broken cloud shrouding some of the higher tops.

Sat 6 Sep

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dry with variable cloud. Some patchy cloud on the higher tops.

Sun 7 Sep

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dry and windy with cloud above the summits. Chance of rain later in the day. Strong to gale southeasterly summit winds.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service