Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for generally unsettled weather with spells of strong wind and rain. Confidence lowers from Sunday in regard to detail and timing of rainfall events.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and summit snow through the evening but turning drier later. Moderate southeasterly winds but strong over highest ground. Freezing level 1000m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of sleet and snow at times. Gale force winds on the hills later.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 10% | 10% | 70% | 70% |
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 |
SE
27
|
SE
24
|
SE
22
|
SE
24
|
SE
28
|
SE
28
|
SE
39
|
SE
46
|
| 900m |
SE
24
|
SE
22
|
SE
20
|
SE
22
|
SE
25
|
SE
24
|
SE
36
|
SE
42
|
| 600m |
SE
17
|
SE
14
|
SE
14
|
SE
17
|
SE
15
|
SE
19
|
SE
24
|
E
30
|
| 300m |
E
2
|
SE
3
|
E
2
|
E
3
|
SE
2
|
E
3
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
| Glen |
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
E
10
|
E
7
|
E
12
|
E
15
|
E
18
|
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 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 48 | 57 |
| 900m | 28 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 45 | 54 |
| 600m | 21 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 33 | 41 |
| 300m | 17 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 31 | 38 |
| Glen | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 31 | 39 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Strong winds and outbreaks of rain and snow give a risk of severe wind chill with difficult walking conditions late in the day. Appropriate warm and waterproof clothing needed. Winds in the evening may be a touch stronger than suggested in the table.
Weather
Mostly dry and cloudy through much of the day with some bright spells and light outbreaks of rain and snow possible. Rain and snow mainly in the north but outbreaks feeding into the south through the evening. Snow falling above 600m. Strong southeasterly winds reaching severe gale, perhaps storm force on the highest ground, later in the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, best chance in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud with bases 700-900m throughout the day. Tops mostly covered in cloud but a few brief breaks and bright spells possible. Visibility good outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cloudy day with widespread hill fog and outbreaks of rain. Any rain falling as snow above 800-1000m in the morning. Fresh to strong southeasterly winds with a risk of gales or severe gales over higher ground in the morning. Marked wind chill, possibly severe in the morning.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 40-50mph gusting 55-65mph.
Temperature
- At 800m 0 Celsius rising to plus 3 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 6 Celsius rising to plus 8 Celsius later.
- Freezing level 800m rising to 1200m.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread low cloud with bases down to 700-1000m, bases falling as low as 300-400m at times. Tops covered throughout the day. Visibility good outside of cloud but moderate to poor in rain and hill fog.
Mountain weather information
Sun 7 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with heavy rain and snow in the morning clearing to dry and largely clear skies. Strong southerly winds. Freezing level 1000-1200m.
Mon 8 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and wintry showers. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits. 1200m.
Tue 9 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy rain early Tuesday, drier with clear spells later. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level 1300m.
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