Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in remaining cold with wintry weather. High confidence for more persistent precipitation Tuesday and Thursday, but low confidence in exact details. Low confidence in developments for Friday.
This evening forecast
Frequent snow showers feed in from the north, combined with strong north to northwest winds will bring blizzard conditions including very poor visibilities. Some hail and a low risk of lightning in the heavier showers. Feeling bitterly cold with a severe wind chill even down to glen level.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
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.
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
Frequent snow showers morning. Drier afternoon, evening. Very cold.
| 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) |
90% | 90% | 80% | 60% | 50% | 30% | 30% | 20% |
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 |
N
26
|
N
27
|
N
22
|
NW
13
|
NW
13
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
SW
16
|
| 900m |
N
24
|
N
23
|
N
19
|
NW
12
|
NW
11
|
W
12
|
W
13
|
SW
15
|
| 600m |
N
17
|
N
14
|
N
14
|
NW
9
|
N
6
|
W
7
|
SW
8
|
SW
10
|
| 300m |
N
5
|
N
4
|
N
4
|
NW
3
|
NW
2
|
W
1
|
W
2
|
SW
3
|
| Glen |
N
9
|
N
9
|
N
7
|
N
4
|
N
3
|
NE
2
|
NW
2
|
W
3
|
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 | 32 | 32 | 26 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
| 900m | 29 | 29 | 24 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 |
| 600m | 22 | 20 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
| 300m | 24 | 23 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Glen | 22 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-7°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-17°
|
-17°
|
-16°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-15°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
| 900m |
-16°
|
-16°
|
-15°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-12°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 300m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
| Glen |
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note the extremely low feels like temperatures. Windy conditions will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance. Navigation could be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Strong winds and snow showers will provide blizzard conditions at times with visibility severely impacted. Keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from the SAIS (Scottish Avalanche Information Service). Note the risk of glare off the snow pack in sunnier conditions in the afternoon.
Weather
Frequent and occasionally heavy snow showers feed in from the north through the morning. Some small hail, occasionally strong winds, and a low chance of lightning associated with these showers. Showers will largely die out through the afternoon leaving good sunny and then clear spells for many ranges, but a few snow showers persisting for Caithness and Sutherland. More outbreaks of snow will spread into the west coast shortly before midnight. Feeling bitterly cold even down to glen level.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less early morning, best chance in sheltered southeast. Rising to 90% through the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Poor visibilities through the morning in blizzard conditions with cloud quite widespread down to 300-500m in frequent snow showers. The best chance of limited clear breaks down towards Ben Wyvis, Glen Affric and Strathfarrar. Generally good visibilities and clear summits developing through the afternoon, though conditions falling rapidly and temporarily poor as any further snow showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A band of snow spreads east through the morning with precipitation turning to rain for a time below around 500m, particularly around western coastal ranges. This clears east through the afternoon allowing a brief brighter period before further snow showers feed in from the north with freshening winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less much of the day, briefly rising to 40% for a time in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest veering Northwest 25-35mph, gusting 35-50mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 6C to minus 2C.
- Glen Minus 2C rising to plus 3C.
- Freezing level Soon rising to 600-800m during the early morning, falling to all levels again in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities dropping poor in persistent snow in the morning. Some breaks developing and good visibilities for a time in the afternoon before showers from the north bring occasional blizzard conditions later.
Mountain weather information
Wed 7 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Clear spells and a few snow showers at first. Becoming dry, bright by day. Very cold. Light to moderate winds. Persistent snow spreading east late evening.
Thu 8 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Persistent snow at first. Then bright spells and further scattered snow showers. Moderate to strong southwest veering northwest winds. Very cold.
Fri 9 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence. Likely cold with light winds and some snow showers. Chance of more persistent snow.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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