Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for generally dry and settled weather this week. Low confidence by the end of the week with the potential for conditions to turn more changeable and unsettled.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with showery rain this evening. Best of any drier spells will be in the east. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.
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.
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.
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 rain in the morning, dry with sunny spells later.
| 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) |
70% | 70% | 70% | 40% | 40% | 50% | 00% | 00% |
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
16
|
W
15
|
W
13
|
NW
12
|
NW
10
|
NW
9
|
N
7
|
N
4
|
| 900m |
W
15
|
W
14
|
W
12
|
NW
12
|
NW
10
|
NW
9
|
N
7
|
N
4
|
| 600m |
W
10
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
NW
9
|
NW
9
|
NW
8
|
N
6
|
N
3
|
| 300m |
W
3
|
W
3
|
W
3
|
NW
5
|
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
N
6
|
N
3
|
| Glen |
W
5
|
W
4
|
W
4
|
W
6
|
W
7
|
NW
7
|
NW
5
|
N
4
|
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 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 6 |
| 900m | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 7 |
| 600m | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 6 |
| 300m | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 5 |
| Glen | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
9°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Tricky navigation in the morning especially with low cloud and rain. Feeling chilly on summits and higher routes.
Weather
A cloudy morning with outbreaks of showery rain, which may be heavy at times. Bright and sunny intervals developing in the afternoon but still the risk of a heavy shower breaking out. Dry with longer clear spells in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil till late morning, then gradually increasing to 80% by the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread low cloud with base 300-500m at first. Cloud starts to lift and break up from late morning with lingering bases 600-800m in the afternoon before rising mostly above summits in the evening. Visibility poor in cloud and rain, otherwise good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Early morning fog patches in the valleys will soon clear to leave a dry day with variable cloud and sunny spells. Mostly light southwesterly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 10-15mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3C rising to 9C in the afternoon.
- Glen Plus 7C rising to 17C. In the afternoon.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base around 400m in the early morning but this soon lifting to leave occasional low cloud bases at 800-1000m but still plenty of cloud free summits. Visibility generally very good but moderate to poor in any cloud and fog.
Mountain weather information
Wed 29 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with largely clear skies and plenty of sunshine. Breezy southwesterly winds.
Thu 30 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another dry day with plenty of sunshine on offer. Breezy easterly winds.
Fri 1 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry with sunny spells but a few showers possible. Mostly light winds, breezy on summits.
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