Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for high pressure controlling the pattern and bringing settled weather, but lower for the cloud detail.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Most dry with sunshine increasing from the southwest. Fresh summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | <05% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SE
20
|
E
17
|
E
15
|
E
13
|
E
18
|
SE
17
|
| 900m |
SE
24
|
E
18
|
E
15
|
E
14
|
E
18
|
SE
18
|
| 600m |
SE
12
|
E
12
|
E
11
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
SE
13
|
| 300m |
E
10
|
E
10
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
E
6
|
| Glen |
E
11
|
E
10
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 28 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 23 |
| 900m | 33 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 24 |
| 600m | 23 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 20 |
| 300m | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
| Glen | 23 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 17 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
7°
|
10°
|
12°
|
10°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
10°
|
13°
|
15°
|
13°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-7°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
0°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
4°
|
8°
|
10°
|
8°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
8°
|
11°
|
13°
|
11°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Severe wind chill at height, particularly early in lower freezing level. Significant risk of sunburn.
Weather
Most if not all staying dry. However a rather cloud across the north and northeast at low and mid-levels through to mid-morning, perhaps bringing some patchy, light rain or sleet here. The good periods of sunshine over the south and southwest will extend northeast to the rest of the area from late morning. Dry in the afternoon although some cloud may linger in the north and east of the area.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% at first in the north and northeast, otherwise 90% plus
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in any rain and sleet, very poor within cloud which occasionally appears at 800m in the north and northeast early in the day.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry with good periods of sunshine. Winds relatively light.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% plus
Maximum wind speed expected
East 15mph or less
Temperature
- At 800m Zero Celsius increasing 9 Celsius for the afternoon
- Glen Plus 1 Celsius increasing 17 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 800m lifting Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming very poor in cloud which infrequently lowers to 800m.
Mountain weather information
Fri 24 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and sunny with light winds. Freezing level above the peaks.
Sat 25 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and sunny with light winds. Freezing level above the peaks.
Sun 26 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with sunny spells and fresh west to southwest winds. Freezing level above the peaks.
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