Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for Tuesday. High for changeable weather for the rest of the week.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

hazard 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.
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 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.
hazard 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.
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

Cold with a few snow showers in the west, mainly dry in the east

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Light snow shower (night) Light snow shower (day) Heavy snow shower (day) Heavy snow shower (day) Light snow shower (night) Light snow shower (night)
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
30% 30% 40% 40% 30% 30%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m SW
34
SW
33
SW
36
SW
39
SW
36
SW
33
900m SW
34
SW
31
SW
35
SW
38
SW
35
SW
31
600m SW
23
SW
23
SW
26
SW
27
SW
23
SW
22
300m SW
6
SW
7
SW
8
SW
9
SW
8
SW
7
Glen S
8
S
11
S
12
S
11
S
8
S
10
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m 41 40 44 48 45 41
900m 40 39 43 47 44 39
600m 30 31 34 36 32 30
300m 28 27 30 33 30 27
Glen 19 23 25 25 20 23

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m
-1°
-2°
-2°
-2°
-1°
-1°
900m
-1°
-1°
-1°
600m
300m
Glen
Freezing Level
800m
800m
700m
800m
800m
900m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m
-10°
-10°
-11°
-11°
-10°
-10°
900m
-9°
-9°
-10°
-10°
-9°
-8°
600m
-4°
-5°
-6°
-5°
-5°
-4°
300m
Glen

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Higher summit gales will lead to severe wind chill.

Weather

Variable amounts of cloud and scattered sleet, snow and hail showers. Showers will be heavy and occasionally prolonged with a chance of hail and thunder too, especially along western coastal ranges. Showers easing later in the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

70%, best chance in the east of the area

Low cloud and visibility

Areas of cloud down to 800 metres, this most persistent and extensive in showers. Very good visibility outside of cloud and showers.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Snow will quickly spread east through the morning before turning to rain at all levels by mid-morning. Drier and clearer weather will spread from the west through the afternoon along with a few showers. Showers will as snow on the very highest tops, and down to 800 metres by midnight.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

40%, best chance in the afternoon

Maximum wind speed expected

Southwesterly average speeds of 45 mph with gusts to 65 mph

Temperature

  • At 800m 0 rising to 4 Celsius
  • Glen Plus 2 rising to 8 Celsius
  • Freezing level 800 metres rising above summits, falling to 800 to 1200 metres during the evening

Low cloud and visibility

Poor in widespread cloud down to 700 to 900 metres, this becoming much more broken from the west in the afternoon

Mountain weather information

Thu 18 Dec

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Windy with showers or occasionally longer spells of rain, wintry on summits. Strong to gale summit southwesterly winds.

Fri 19 Dec

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Windy with scattered showers, wintry on the summits. Strong to gale summit westerly winds.

Sat 20 Dec

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Little change, remaining unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain, wintry on the higher tops.

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