Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium.
This evening forecast
Sunny then clear intervals and the odd light shower, with snow above 400m. Moderate to fresh westerly breeze.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Clear or sunny intervals.
| 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) |
<05% | 30% | 40% | 30% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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 |
W
20
|
NW
19
|
N
23
|
N
19
|
N
18
|
N
15
|
N
12
|
N
9
|
| 900m |
W
20
|
NW
18
|
N
21
|
N
18
|
N
18
|
N
15
|
N
12
|
N
9
|
| 600m |
W
11
|
NW
11
|
N
15
|
N
15
|
N
14
|
N
12
|
N
10
|
N
5
|
| 300m |
NW
4
|
NW
5
|
N
6
|
N
7
|
N
10
|
N
8
|
N
7
|
N
5
|
| Glen |
NW
6
|
NW
8
|
N
10
|
N
8
|
N
12
|
N
10
|
N
10
|
N
6
|
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 | 26 | 24 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 13 |
| 900m | 25 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 17 | 13 |
| 600m | 17 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 10 |
| 300m | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 10 |
| Glen | 15 | 17 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
700m
|
500m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
500m
|
500m
|
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°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note the unseasonably low freezing levels, with significant, if not severe, wind chill
Weather
Mainly dry with clear or sunny intervals and a few showers, falling as snow above 400m rising to 600m
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Mostly 90% but 60% for a time as showers pass by in the morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally no low cloud with good visibility, but the cloud could drop to 900m as showers pass by in the morning, with temporary hill fog on higher tops.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly dry with some clear or sunny intervals, perhaps a few light showers, wintry on the Munro tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 10-15mph becoming southwesterly 25-30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 4 rising to Plus 1 Celsius
- Glen Minus 3 rising to Plus 10 Celsius
- Freezing level 500m rising 900m
Low cloud and visibility
Generally no low cloud and good visibility, perhaps some patches of cloud at 1000m in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Thu 7 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Still a lot of dry weather but cloudier at times with the chance of some showers, with snow above 1000m. Strong south to southwest breeze.
Fri 8 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional showers, freezing level above summits.
Sat 9 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence - some light showers at first with snow above 800m then brightening up. Freshening northeasterly 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