Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for dry conditions over next couple of days and for a change to more unsettled weather to move in from the west. Low confidence in timing and detail of any rain and snow from Friday onwards.
This evening forecast
A dry evening with clear spells, turning a little cloudier in the south towards midnight. Strong southeasterly winds. Feeling very cold.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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
Dry and very cold with gale force winds at times.
| 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) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 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 |
SE
29
|
SE
32
|
SE
36
|
SE
37
|
SE
35
|
SE
36
|
SE
37
|
SE
35
|
| 900m |
SE
24
|
SE
27
|
SE
32
|
SE
33
|
SE
31
|
SE
33
|
SE
34
|
SE
32
|
| 600m |
SE
13
|
SE
15
|
SE
20
|
SE
21
|
SE
22
|
SE
24
|
SE
22
|
SE
20
|
| 300m |
E
2
|
E
3
|
E
4
|
E
3
|
E
4
|
E
4
|
E
5
|
E
5
|
| Glen |
E
7
|
E
10
|
E
13
|
E
12
|
E
12
|
E
13
|
E
15
|
E
13
|
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 | 34 | 38 | 43 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 47 | 45 |
| 900m | 29 | 33 | 39 | 40 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 42 |
| 600m | 18 | 21 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 35 | 32 |
| 300m | 14 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
| Glen | 13 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
200m
|
200m
|
100m
|
100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-16°
|
-16°
|
-17°
|
-17°
|
-16°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
| 900m |
-14°
|
-15°
|
-16°
|
-16°
|
-14°
|
-13°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
| 600m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 300m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| Glen |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
A very cold day on the hills with a risk of severe wind chill. Gale force winds will make for tough walking conditions with the risk of being blown over.
Weather
A very cold, largely dry and cloudy day with a few bright or sunny spells breaking through. Some very light outbreaks of rain possible over Skye in the afternoon. Strong winds reaching gale of severe gale on higher summits giving severe wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%.
Low cloud and visibility
Some occasional low cloud around 1000m, otherwise cloud above summits. Generally very good visibility but poor in any cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly cloudy and dry for much of the day with some bright spells. Cloudier in the evening as a band of rain and snow spreads eastwards, snow falling above about 400m. Strong winds with gales or severe gales on higher routes. Very cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% much of the day, 10% in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeaterly 45-55mph gusting 55-65mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 3 Celsius.
- Glen Minus 1 rising to plus 4 Celsius.
- Freezing level 100m rising to 800m by the end of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional low cloud with base around 1000m through the day, becoming widespread in the evening and lowering to 400-600m. Visibility very good, becoming very poor in the evening with rain, snow and low cloud.
Mountain weather information
Fri 20 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with a band of rain and snow spreading eastwards, followed by heavy showers. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level 800m rising to 1200m.
Sat 21 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and snow over highest hill tops. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level 1200m rising above summits.
Sun 22 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain and snow. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level falling to 1000-1200m.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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