Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

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Confidence

High confidence in the general story until Monday, but lower confidence in details on Sunday morning. Lower confidence for extent of cloud and rain from Monday onwards

Mountain hazards

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.
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.

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.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Cloud, rain, gales in morning. Drier, bright afternoon.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Dull Cloudy Mist Drizzle
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
90%
80%
40%
10%
10%
50%

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 41mph knots
W
41mph
 W 34mph knots
W
34mph
 NW 24mph knots
NW
24mph
 W 21mph knots
W
21mph
 W 19mph knots
W
19mph
 W 20mph knots
W
20mph
900m
 900m W 39mph knots
W
39mph
 W 32mph knots
W
32mph
 NW 24mph knots
NW
24mph
 W 20mph knots
W
20mph
 W 18mph knots
W
18mph
 W 19mph knots
W
19mph
600m
 600m W 27mph knots
W
27mph
 W 22mph knots
W
22mph
 NW 18mph knots
NW
18mph
 W 16mph knots
W
16mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
300m
 300m W 7mph knots
W
7mph
 W 8mph knots
W
8mph
 NW 9mph knots
NW
9mph
 W 8mph knots
W
8mph
 W 7mph knots
W
7mph
 W 5mph knots
W
5mph
Glen
 Glen W 17mph knots
W
17mph
 W 16mph knots
W
16mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
 W 12mph knots
W
12mph
 W 10mph knots
W
10mph
 W 8mph knots
W
8mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
 1000m 48mph 40mph 31mph 27mph 24mph 25mph
900m
 900m 46mph 39mph 30mph 27mph 24mph 24mph
600m
 600m 34mph 29mph 24mph 22mph 19mph 18mph
300m
 300m 35mph 29mph 25mph 23mph 20mph 19mph
Glen
 Glen 31mph 28mph 23mph 20mph 17mph 16mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1000m
 1000m 2 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius
900m
 900m 3 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius
600m
 600m 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
Glen
 Glen 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3000m
2100m
2000m
1900m
2000m
2100m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Strong winds with summit gales in the morning 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. Widespread low cloud in the morning will make for difficult navigation at times. Heavy rain in the early hours may leave some routes and watercourses saturated, suitable footwear should be taken. Where the sun breaks out in the afternoon UV levels will be high so suitable protection is advised.

Weather

Cloudy with occasionally heavy rain in the morning and gale-force summit winds. Rain turns more showery later through the morning with some brighter spells developing and winds beginning to ease. Mostly dry in the afternoon with some bright or sunny spells developing, just the small chance of the odd light shower. Low cloud returning from the west in the late evening with some outbreaks of light rain or drizzle.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Little chance early morning. Rising to 40% by midday, 70% by mid-afternoon. Falling back to 30% or less in late evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities falling poor in hill fog and occasionally heavy rain in the early morning. This gradually lifting and breaking up after dawn allowing for some clear spells to develop between showers, then summits often clear in the afternoon with cloud above all but the highest summits. Widespread low cloud feeds in from the west again in the late evening.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

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.

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