Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence until Thursday but low confidence in timing and detail of rain and strong winds from Thursday onwards.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy morning with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, drier and brighter in the afternoon. Strong winds and feeling cold on higher routes.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
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
31
|
W
34
|
SW
32
|
SW
34
|
SW
34
|
SW
37
|
| 900m |
SW
27
|
W
31
|
SW
30
|
SW
31
|
SW
31
|
SW
33
|
| 600m |
SW
16
|
SW
19
|
SW
22
|
SW
23
|
SW
22
|
SW
22
|
| 300m |
W
1
|
W
5
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
| Glen |
SW
5
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
SW
11
|
SW
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 35 | 39 | 39 | 42 | 41 | 45 |
| 900m | 31 | 37 | 37 | 39 | 38 | 41 |
| 600m | 20 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 |
| 300m | 21 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 30 |
| Glen | 17 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 25 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Strong winds and feeling cold on higher routes, warm and waterproof clothing required. Low cloud throughout the day will make for tricky navigation.
Weather
A cloudy and overcast day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the morning. Becoming drier in the afternoon with just a few spots of rain at times. Feeling cold with strong winds and risk of gales on higher routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% chance, best away from the west.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base 500-700m for much of the day, perhaps to lower slopes in rain during the morning. Some brighter spells and breaks possible in the afternoon where cloud may briefly clear from hill tops. Visibility generally poor in cloud and rain, good outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A band of heavy rain spreads southeastwards through the day, becoming drier in the evening with clear periods developing. Freezing level lowering with snow falling down to 500m in the afternoon. Strong to gale force winds easing in the evening, feeling cold on higher routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Mostly nil, becoming 90% through the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 40-45mph gusting 50-55mph, becoming northeasterly 15-20mph gusting 20-25mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3C, falling to minus 3C in the evening.
- Glen Plus 9C, falling to plus 3C in the evening.
- Freezing level Above summits, falling to 400-500m by end of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base 400-600m, perhaps to lower slopes in heavy rain. Low cloud lifting and breaking in the evening to leave no low cloud. Visibility very poor in heavy rain and cloud, good later outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Thu 2 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry morning with sunny spells, cloudy with rain and hill snow spreading eastwards in the afternoon. Southeasterly winds becoming strong. Freezing level around 500m.
Fri 3 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of heavy rain and hill snow. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising above summits for a time before falling back to 500m.
Sat 4 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some brighter spells with heavy showers feeding in from the west. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds.
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