Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High generally for the upcoming dry spell, medium for extent of any cloud
This evening forecast
Mostly cloudy with a few showers, of snow above 900m, and some hill fog on the tops. More broken cloud towards the west coast. Fresh to strong easterly winds on summits.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy start in south with isolated light showers then dry and mainly clear and sunny, though some cloud may linger in far north, before increasing in evening. Fresh to strong easterly winds on the summits.
| 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) |
20% | 20% | 10% | <05% | <05% | 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 |
E
25
|
E
27
|
E
28
|
E
30
|
E
22
|
E
21
|
E
21
|
E
24
|
| 900m |
E
25
|
E
26
|
E
27
|
E
28
|
E
22
|
E
20
|
E
20
|
E
24
|
| 600m |
E
14
|
E
14
|
E
15
|
E
17
|
E
15
|
E
15
|
E
13
|
E
12
|
| 300m |
E
5
|
E
4
|
E
7
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
| Glen |
E
9
|
E
11
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
E
10
|
E
10
|
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 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 39 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 34 |
| 900m | 32 | 33 | 36 | 37 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 34 |
| 600m | 22 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 |
| 300m | 22 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| Glen | 21 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
700m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Despite the sunshine, a notable chill at height due to fresh winds and low temperatures.
Weather
Cloudy overnight with some light showers, or summit snow flurries. Still a few showers at first over the south around dawn, then most areas will become clear with cloud dispersing to allow long spells of sunshine. Some cloud may linger over Sutherland, becoming more widespread in the evening as it extends to Easter Ross, the west coast and Skye staying clear.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% overnight rising more than 90% in the morning, falling 50% in north and east by midnight.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud above 700-900m overnight lifting and breaking in morning then mostly no low cloud and very good visibility. Cloud then dropping to 700-900m in north and east during evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cloudy start in Sutherland Caithness and Easter Ross this clearing by late morning. Otherwise another a dry day with unbroken sunshine. Patchy cloud may filter back into the east later in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% at first in north and east otherwise 90% or more.
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 20 gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 rising to Plus 5 Celsius for a time in the afternoon.
- Glen Zero rising to Plus 13 Celsius
- Freezing level 700m rising above summits in afternoon, dropping again in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud at 600-800m in east at first and again late evening otherwise no low cloud and very good visibility.
Mountain weather information
Thu 23 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Any patchy cloud at dawn soon clearing then another dry and sunny day. Lighter winds. Freezing level 700m rising above summits.
Fri 24 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying dry and sunny with mostly light winds. Warm.
Sat 25 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Perhaps some low cloud at first in north and east otherwise staying clear with long sunny spells.
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