Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
An unsettled week with a wet start on Monday, rain mostly clearing and some brighter, drier weather on Tuesday and Wednesday with some stronger winds at times. Freezing level mostly around 800-1000m so no significant snow accumulations likely except at high levels. The main uncertainties will be around timing of rain and showers.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Heavy rain clearing east in the morning, bright with sunny spells in the afternoon. Evening showers
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 30% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SW
29
|
SW
34
|
SW
27
|
S
18
|
SE
17
|
SE
19
|
| 900m |
SW
28
|
SW
33
|
SW
25
|
S
17
|
SE
15
|
SE
17
|
| 600m |
SW
18
|
SW
21
|
S
16
|
S
11
|
SE
10
|
S
11
|
| 300m |
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
SW
3
|
S
1
|
SE
2
|
SE
2
|
| Glen |
SW
4
|
S
4
|
S
7
|
SE
5
|
SE
6
|
E
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 34 | 40 | 31 | 22 | 20 | 22 |
| 900m | 32 | 39 | 30 | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| 600m | 22 | 26 | 22 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
| 300m | 24 | 26 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 11 |
| Glen | 15 | 11 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-6°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Freezing level will rise above all summits but there may still be cold air mixed in for a time, it then begins to fall again during the day with a cold feel during the afternoon.
Weather
Rain will clear most areas in the early morning with cloud beginning to lift and clear during the morning leaving a brighter afternoon for most areas with sunny spells, hill fog may be slow to clear. Showers - falling as snow above 900-1000m - spread into the west coast through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% rising to 90%, a lot of low cloud in the morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of broken or overcast cloud above 300m can be expected in the morning especially in the west, perhaps bases higher in the east initially. Low cloud will lift and clear during the morning leaving just patches above 800m by lunchtime. During the afternoon most cloud will clear to leave summits clear with far reaching views. Visibility will be poor at the start of the day in any rain or drizzle, again this will improve during the morning.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Scattered blustery showers during the day accompanied by gales, falling as snow above 900m but otherwise dry with some sunny spells, some persistent low cloud around hills at times, feeling very cold on the hills. Severe gales are likely in the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75%, some low cloud covering summits at times, especially in the west.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 30-35 mph with gusts 40-45 mph strengthening in the afternoon to gusts 50-55mph near coastal ranges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 Celsius
- Glen Plus 2 rising to 6 Celsius.
- Freezing level 900m
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud will be more prevalent in the west with scattered layers above 700m shrouding summits at times, further east just patchy cloud above 800m. Visibility generally very good but falling moderate or poor in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Wed 3 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with some bright spells, feeling cold with freezing level around 900m. Strong southwesterly winds, possibly gales.
Thu 4 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but mainly dry, rain spreading east later in the day with freezing level rising to around 1300m. Fresh southeasterly winds.
Fri 5 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Turning colder again but mostly dry with fresh southeasterly 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