Mountain weather

Southwest Highlands

Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High generally for the upcoming dry spell, medium for extent of any cloud

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.

hazard 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.
hazard 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.
hazard 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 morning with isolated light showers then becoming sunny in the afternoon. Strengthening easterly winds on the summits.

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Fog Cloudy Sunny day Sunny day Sunny day Clear night
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
20% 10% 10% 00% 00% 00%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m NE
25
E
18
SE
19
N
16
E
19
E
20
900m E
13
E
14
E
16
E
13
E
14
E
13
600m NE
15
E
14
E
15
E
14
E
16
NE
13
300m NE
8
E
7
E
7
E
9
SE
9
NE
5
Glen NE
6
E
9
E
9
E
7
E
6
E
3
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m 28 23 24 20 24 24
900m 17 19 21 18 20 19
600m 17 19 20 19 21 17
300m 15 10 11 14 14 8
Glen 17 17 16 13 12 13

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m
-2°
-3°
-1°
900m
600m
300m
11°
10°
Glen
12°
14°
12°
Freezing Level
1,000m
900m
900m
1,100m
1,100m
900m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m
-10°
-10°
-7°
-4°
-5°
-7°
900m
-5°
-4°
-1°
-4°
600m
-2°
-1°
300m
Glen
10°
12°
11°

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 in the morning with perhaps a light shower, or summit snow flurry on tops. Then cloud breaking around the middle of the day and with cloud then dispersing long spells of sunshine will develop in the afternoon and early evening followed by clear spells after dark.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

40% at dawn rising more than 90% by afternoon, falling 75% by midnight.

Low cloud and visibility

Cloud above 800-1000m in morning lifting to above summits by afternoon and dispersing, with then no low cloud and very good visibility. Towards midnight the Trossachs may see some cloud and patchy summit fog.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

A cloudy start in the Trossachs and some other inland hills this clearing by late morning. Otherwise another a dry day with unbroken sunshine. Cloud may filter back into the east later in the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

70% at first and again late evening in east otherwise more than 90%

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. Moderate east or southeast winds. Freezing level 700m rising above summits.

Fri 24 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Staying dry and sunny with mostly light winds.

Sat 25 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Staying dry with some sunshine at times.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service