Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for the rather cloudy conditions on Sunday morning, with some uncertainty on the extent of any brighter breaks in the afternoon as cloud bases lift. High confidence for the change to much colder conditions into midweek.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with occasional hill fog in the morning, some sunnier spells developing later.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SE
14
|
E
8
|
N
5
|
N
10
|
N
13
|
N
13
|
| 900m |
SE
14
|
E
8
|
N
5
|
N
10
|
N
13
|
N
12
|
| 600m |
SE
12
|
E
7
|
NE
6
|
N
9
|
N
10
|
N
5
|
| 300m |
E
8
|
E
5
|
NE
1
|
N
9
|
N
9
|
N
4
|
| Glen |
E
13
|
E
7
|
NW
5
|
N
11
|
N
10
|
N
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 17 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 18 | 17 |
| 900m | 18 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 15 |
| 600m | 18 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 8 |
| 300m | 16 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 11 |
| Glen | 18 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 18 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
800m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-5°
|
-3°
|
1°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-2°
|
2°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
6°
|
9°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
9°
|
11°
|
8°
|
7°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Risk of difficult navigation in poor visibility at first. Conditions improving somewhat as cloud bases lift into the afternoon. Cooler than of late, note the sub zero wind chill on summits and lowering of the freezing level in the evening.
Weather
A cloudy morning with areas of hill fog and a few spots of light drizzle. Cloud will gradually lift through the day, with some bright and sunnier spells developing by late afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% in the morning, increasing to 60% by late afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud bases around 700-800m at first in the morning, breaking up and lifting to around 900-1000m during afternoon. Visibility will be generally good below cloud bases, best in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry and bright morning with sunny spells. Cloud will increase in the afternoon and bring a few showery outbreaks of rain. Sub-zero wind chill on summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% in the morning, 40% in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Gusting 25-30mph on summits and ridges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 rising 6 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 4 rising 12 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1200m
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud bases bubbling up above most summits in the morning. During the afternoon cloud bases will occasionally become more extensive and lower to 800-1000m.
Mountain weather information
Tue 5 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Much colder than of late, with a few showers or outbreaks of rain and hill snow. Freezing level 700m.
Wed 6 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another cold day and rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain and hill snow. Freezing level 800m.
Thu 7 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with showers or outbreaks of rain. Remaining on the chilly side for the time of year.
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