Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather pattern, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
This evening forecast
Increasingly cloudy with periods of rain that turns heavy at times in the west. Strong to gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level above all peaks.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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, heavy at times. Strong to gale summit winds.
| 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) |
30% | 60% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 70% |
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
34
|
SE
35
|
SE
32
|
S
32
|
S
26
|
S
27
|
S
23
|
S
27
|
| 900m |
SE
29
|
SE
30
|
SE
27
|
S
29
|
S
24
|
S
25
|
S
21
|
S
24
|
| 600m |
SE
20
|
SE
19
|
SE
17
|
S
19
|
S
17
|
S
17
|
S
14
|
S
16
|
| 300m |
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
S
5
|
S
7
|
S
6
|
S
5
|
S
4
|
| Glen |
E
11
|
SE
9
|
SE
10
|
S
11
|
S
10
|
S
11
|
S
7
|
S
9
|
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 | 41 | 43 | 39 | 40 | 35 | 36 | 30 | 34 |
| 900m | 37 | 38 | 35 | 37 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 31 |
| 600m | 28 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 23 |
| 300m | 22 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 20 |
| Glen | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 17 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,800m
|
1,600m
|
1,400m
|
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°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
11°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Some hazardous condition with hill fog, gales and severe wind chill at height.
Weather
A cloudy to overcast day with periods of rain which turn heavier at times, and become wintry across highest peaks for the late evening. Best of the limited shelter expected to the north of Torridon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 20% but 40% in the far north
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 600m
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy with showers, these wintry across highest peaks. Outbreaks frequent through the morning with some heavy bringing the risk of hail and thunder, before dwindling from mid-afternoon onwards. Summit gales.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% becoming 60% by late afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
South veering southwest and increasing mean 30-35mph for the afternoon with gusts reaching 50mph across most exposed ridges and summits
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 Celsius increasing 5 Celsius for the afternoon
- Glen Plus 7 Celsius increasing 14 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 600m at first, before lifting and breaking late afternoon
Mountain weather information
Fri 17 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with showers or longer periods of rain and strong southerly summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Sat 18 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy to overcast with frequent showers and longer periods of rain. Fresh southerly summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Sun 19 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with showery rain at first, improving to largely dry, occasionally bright later in day, as fresh to strong winds veer to the west.
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