Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Confidence

High for the overall evolution. Low for details of the rain clearing Tuesday into Wednesday.

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

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.

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.
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.
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.
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

Strong winds, scattered showers morning. Becoming dry, bright through afternoon.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Heavy rain showers (night) Light rain showers Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Cloudy
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
90%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m W 43mph knots
W
43mph
W 37mph knots
W
37mph
W 32mph knots
W
32mph
W 28mph knots
W
28mph
W 21mph knots
W
21mph
SW 20mph knots
SW
20mph
900m
900m W 40mph knots
W
40mph
W 35mph knots
W
35mph
W 32mph knots
W
32mph
W 27mph knots
W
27mph
W 20mph knots
W
20mph
SW 18mph knots
SW
18mph
600m
600m W 25mph knots
W
25mph
W 24mph knots
W
24mph
W 23mph knots
W
23mph
W 19mph knots
W
19mph
W 12mph knots
W
12mph
SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
300m
300m W 4mph knots
W
4mph
W 7mph knots
W
7mph
W 9mph knots
W
9mph
W 8mph knots
W
8mph
W 4mph knots
W
4mph
SW 2mph knots
SW
2mph
Glen
Glen W 12mph knots
W
12mph
W 14mph knots
W
14mph
W 15mph knots
W
15mph
W 14mph knots
W
14mph
W 7mph knots
W
7mph
SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m 49mph 43mph 40mph 35mph 26mph 25mph
900m
900m 46mph 41mph 39mph 34mph 25mph 24mph
600m
600m 32mph 30mph 31mph 26mph 17mph 16mph
300m
300m 33mph 30mph 31mph 27mph 20mph 15mph
Glen
Glen 27mph 25mph 28mph 24mph 15mph 12mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
1000m -5 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius -3 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius
900m
900m -3 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius
600m
600m 2 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 8 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius
Glen
Glen 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1400m
1500m
1400m
1500m
1400m
1400m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Unpleasant conditions at first and feeling bitterly cold with frequent heavy showers and widespread strong winds giving difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance, whilst navigation could be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Much better conditions in the afternoon but still quite chilly.

Weather

Frequent heavy showers in the early morning with a chance of hail and lightning, accompanied by gales with a chance of storm-force gusts over the highest summits. Showers and strong winds gradually easing after dawn, becoming largely dry in the afternoon with sunny spells. Clouding over from the west in the evening with the small chance of some patchy light rain shortly before midnight.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

20% or less at first, rising to 70% from afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Quite widespread cloud down to 500-700m in the morning with poor visibilities in hill fog and heavy rain. Cloud gradually lifting and breaking through the day with some clear spells developing but still patches of cloud around 900-1100m.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast