Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for fairly warm but changeable showery conditions, low for timing and intensity of the more showery periods.
This evening forecast
Mainly sunny evening though southern areas starting off cloudy with the odd shower, clearing during the evening. Clear spells after dark.
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.
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
Dry and bright with sunny spells. Mostly light 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) |
10% | 10% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
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
11
|
SE
10
|
SE
8
|
SE
6
|
SE
5
|
SW
7
|
NW
7
|
N
7
|
| 900m |
E
12
|
SE
10
|
SE
8
|
SE
6
|
SE
5
|
SW
7
|
NW
7
|
N
7
|
| 600m |
E
10
|
SE
9
|
SE
7
|
SE
5
|
SE
4
|
W
7
|
NW
6
|
N
4
|
| 300m |
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
SE
4
|
S
3
|
W
5
|
NW
5
|
NE
2
|
| Glen |
E
8
|
E
8
|
SE
5
|
S
3
|
W
5
|
W
8
|
NW
4
|
N
2
|
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 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| 900m | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| 600m | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 5 |
| 300m | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Glen | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
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°
|
10°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
12°
|
13°
|
17°
|
19°
|
20°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
15°
|
14°
|
15°
|
19°
|
21°
|
20°
|
20°
|
17°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,500m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
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°
|
7°
|
9°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
10°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
13°
|
16°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
11°
|
12°
|
16°
|
19°
|
19°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
14°
|
13°
|
15°
|
19°
|
20°
|
19°
|
20°
|
18°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
High UV levels
Weather
A mostly clear night and sunny start but some patchy low cloud over the lower slopes of Easter Ross and Sutherland at first, this soon burning off. Some cloud bubbling up during morning, though remaining broken with further sunny intervals, the best in the north where it could stay clear. A sunny evening then clear periods after dark.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%.
Low cloud and visibility
Some patchy low cloud below 600m at first over the east, otherwise no low cloud and good visibility.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Clear in early hours and a sunny morning and start to the afternoon. Cloud and showery rain spreading from the southwest during the afternoon bringing some patchy hill fog but some northeastern areas remaining dry and birght.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% falling 60% during afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 30 gusts 40mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 11 rising to Plus 14 Celsius
- Glen Plus 13 rising to Plus 23 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits
Low cloud and visibility
No low cloud at first with good visibility. Cloud occasionally lowering to 750-900m later in the afternoon with patches to and some poor visibility at times in showery rain, though Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross staying mainly dry and bright.
Mountain weather information
Fri 18 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright or sunny intervals and a few showers, perhaps more general cloud and light rain for the west coast and Isles. Light to moderate winds, remaining quite warm and humid.
Sat 19 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Much of the day dry with sunny spells and warm. Chance of some showers breaking out towards evening.
Sun 20 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Unsettled with bright or sunny interavls and the chance of a few thundery showers. Warm, humid
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