Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a generally wet and windy weekend, but low for the extent of any drier spells. High for general forecast to start next week, but some uncertainty in timings of rain bands and wind strength.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry start, but rain spreading east. Severe gales increasing to storm force winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 10% | 60% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
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
50
|
S
55
|
S
67
|
S
66
|
SW
64
|
SW
56
|
| 900m |
SW
47
|
S
52
|
S
62
|
S
62
|
SW
59
|
SW
51
|
| 600m |
SW
32
|
SW
36
|
S
43
|
S
43
|
SW
41
|
SW
35
|
| 300m |
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
S
10
|
S
11
|
SW
10
|
SW
9
|
| Glen |
SW
13
|
SW
16
|
S
21
|
S
23
|
S
23
|
SW
21
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 57 | 64 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 68 |
| 900m | 55 | 61 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 63 |
| 600m | 39 | 45 | 55 | 56 | 55 | 47 |
| 300m | 39 | 40 | 52 | 54 | 52 | 44 |
| Glen | 28 | 33 | 44 | 49 | 49 | 44 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,800m
|
2,000m
|
2,500m
|
2,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Severe gales increasing to storm force winds making standing very difficult with a high chance of serious injury. Gust reaching over 90 mph across the higher summits in the afternoon and evening making any mobility almost impossible.
Weather
A mostly dry cloudy start, but severe gales increasing to storm force winds across the summits. Heavy rain spreads into the west coast by late morning, becoming widespread by early afternoon with summit winds continuing to strength. Persistent often heavy rain continuing through much of the night.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% or less.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally very poor visibility in persistent low cloud, and later in heavy rain. Cloud bases around 400-600m in the morning, perhaps a few breaks across Easter Ross and Caithness. Extensive cloud to lower slopes in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rain clears south through the early hours. Mostly dry by dawn, sunny spells across the north, best over Easter Ross and Caithness. However, further heavy rain is likely to spread into the south of the area in the afternoon, perhaps affecting all ranges for a time. Strong to gale force summit winds with a significant wind chill despite mild temperatures.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% in the southwest, 60% in the northeast
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 55 gusting 65 mph, easing to 45 gusting 55 mph for a few hours during the day.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 6 or 7 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 7 Celsius rising to 10 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Poor visibility in the southwest with frequent cloud above 400-500m. Mostly good visibility in the northeast with occasional cloud above 700-900m in the morning, increasing and lowering to 600m in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Mon 15 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Any heavy rain clearing early Monday to give a drier day, but often cloudy with and increasing risk of showers over western hills, these heavy at times with snow on the tops. Strong southwest winds easing slightly. Freezing level 1100m dropping to 900-1000m.
Tue 16 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered showers, mainly over western coastal hills, falling as snow above around 700-800m, but turning mostly dry later in the day. Moderate to fresh southwest winds. Freezing level 800-900m.
Wed 17 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain, perhaps some summit snow, spreads east with south or southwest winds, a risk of summit gales. Drier later, but showers following in the west. Freezing level 800m rising above the summits for a time.
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