Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally dry settled conditions through the coming days.
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.
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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Rather cloudy start then sunny spells and a few heavy afternoon showers.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 20% | 30% | 20% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
E
21
|
E
19
|
SE
16
|
SE
13
|
E
10
|
E
15
|
| 900m |
E
18
|
E
17
|
SE
14
|
SE
13
|
E
12
|
E
14
|
| 600m |
NE
16
|
NE
13
|
SE
12
|
S
9
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
| 300m |
NW
7
|
N
7
|
SE
9
|
SE
9
|
E
8
|
N
4
|
| Glen |
NE
9
|
NE
8
|
SE
7
|
S
7
|
NE
7
|
NE
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 25 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 18 |
| 900m | 24 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
| 600m | 19 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| 300m | 8 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 6 |
| Glen | 19 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
8°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
11°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
10°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
17°
|
16°
|
15°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
15°
|
18°
|
19°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
13°
|
17°
|
21°
|
22°
|
20°
|
15°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
1,800m
|
2,200m
|
2,400m
|
2,500m
|
2,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
8°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
10°
|
13°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
13°
|
16°
|
17°
|
17°
|
15°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
15°
|
19°
|
20°
|
18°
|
15°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Relatively strong afternoon sunshine brings the risk of sunburn with protection advised.
Weather
Rather cloudy start with a few showers around, but becoming brighter with some good spells of sunshine developing. During the afternoon a few heavy, perhaps thundery showers are expected. Most dry with good late brightness then clear periods for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30-40% becoming during the afternoon 90%
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, very poor within cloud with bases quite extensive at 800m at first, becoming more occasional and generally lifting above the summits.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry with good sunny spells.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% plus
Maximum wind speed expected
East 20-25mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 11 Celsius increasing 16 Celsius for the afternoon
- Glen Plus 1 Celsius increasing 23 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Very good or excellent. Cloud bases infrequently lowering across higher peaks.
Mountain weather information
Wed 14 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with good periods of sunshine. Fresh northeast summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Thu 15 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with good periods of sunshine. Light northeast summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Fri 16 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with good periods of sunshine. Light northeast summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Including Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and the rest of Lochaber, Argyll including the Isles, Loch Lomond, Trossachs and Arran
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service