Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium confidence in exact rain and wind detail on Wednesday. High confidence for unsettled weather through the period, but low confidence in details from Thursday onwards.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Very windy with gale to storm-force winds. Heavy showers, rain later.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 70% | >95% | 60% | 80% | 90% |
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
59
|
SW
59
|
SW
61
|
SW
63
|
W
57
|
SW
52
|
| 900m |
SW
55
|
SW
55
|
SW
57
|
SW
59
|
W
53
|
SW
49
|
| 600m |
SW
38
|
SW
37
|
SW
39
|
SW
41
|
SW
36
|
SW
34
|
| 300m |
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
W
11
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
SW
11
|
| Glen |
SW
22
|
SW
22
|
SW
23
|
SW
23
|
SW
21
|
SW
20
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 68 | 68 | 73 | 76 | 69 | 65 |
| 900m | 64 | 65 | 69 | 73 | 65 | 62 |
| 600m | 48 | 47 | 52 | 54 | 48 | 47 |
| 300m | 46 | 47 | 51 | 53 | 47 | 46 |
| Glen | 44 | 44 | 47 | 47 | 44 | 42 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,500m
|
1,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Occasional storm-force winds mean any mobility will be almost impossible on exposed ground with a risk of being blown off your feet. National severe weather warnings are in force so keep up to date with the latest forecast. Feeling bitterly cold in strong winds and frequent showers. Frequent heavy showers or longer spells of rain may lead to drenching conditions.
Weather
Severe gales or storm force gusts down to low levels in the early morning. Then gale-force gusts to low levels throughout the rest of the day with severe gales or occasional storm-force gusts at height as Storm Bram, lying to the north of Scotland, moves slowly east. Frequent heavy showers spread in from the west, wintry above 900-1000m and with a reasonable chance of hail and lightning, becoming more frequent for a time during the middle of the day. Easing off for a short time in the afternoon, before further showers merge to more persistent rain through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less, best chances in the north.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 800-1000m visibilities falling poor in frequent showers or persistent rain for much of the day. Limited breaks for a time in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rain clearing in the early hours. Then dry for a time in the morning before clouding over from around dawn with persistent rain or drizzle spreading slowly east through the rest of the day, this mostly light but some heavy bursts possible at times.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest backing south, 30-40mph, gusting 50-60mph over the highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1C to plus 4C.
- Glen Plus 6C to plus 9C.
- Freezing level 1400m at first, soon rising well above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 600-800m and visibilities falling poor in persistent rain, drizzle, or hill fog.
Mountain weather information
Fri 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with fresh southerly winds and outbreaks of mostly light rain, clearing east through the morning. As this clears the freezing level falls to 800-1000m allowing for some summit snow. Then mostly dry afternoon with light winds before a few showers later in the west.
Sat 13 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers or longer spells of rain. Strengthening southwest winds. Freezing level rising above summits.
Sun 14 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with some showers or longer spells of rain. Fresh to strong southwest 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