Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in a dry, largely sunny Friday and for conditions turning widely unsettled for Sunday. Some uncertainty on cloud detail for Saturday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
Dry with sunny spells, some summit cloud later. Strong winds on summits.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 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 |
S
24
|
S
27
|
SW
28
|
SW
28
|
SW
28
|
SW
28
|
| 900m |
S
18
|
S
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
20
|
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
| 600m |
S
18
|
S
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
23
|
SW
24
|
SW
19
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
SW
8
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
S
10
|
S
8
|
| Glen |
SW
5
|
SW
8
|
SW
10
|
SW
12
|
SW
7
|
SW
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 29 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 34 |
| 900m | 23 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
| 600m | 20 | 21 | 24 | 30 | 30 | 24 |
| 300m | 10 | 10 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 12 |
| Glen | 12 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 13 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
11°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
8°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note the sub-zero wind chill on highest summits alongside gusts to around 35mph that may make walking on exposed ground arduous at times.
Weather
Any early mist and fog patches in sheltered glens quickly clearing. Otherwise a dry day with lengthy sunny spells developing. Cloud increasing from the west for the evening. Strong winds on summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80-90% becoming 70% early evening
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility will be generally very good, but poor or very poor in early mist or fog in valley. Patchy cloud bases generally above the summits, but occasionally at 800m for the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Early mist and fog patches in glens. A stalled frontal zone brings cloudy and potentially showery outbreaks of rain and hill fog for Lochaber during the day. Drier and brighter periods towards the Trossachs, while Arran will see the best of the conditions.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, but 60% for the Trossachs in the afternoon. 90% for Arran.
Maximum wind speed expected
10-15mph gusting 20-25mph on summits and ridges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3C rising 7C
- Glen Plus 6C rising 13C
- Freezing level 1200m
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud bases around 1000m for Lochaber, occasionally lowering to 800m, especially around western coasts, while bases will be more broken up further south and east. Visibility will generally good below cloud bases but occasionally deteriorating to a few kilometres in rain for Lochaber.
Mountain weather information
Sun 22 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and summit fog. Strong summit winds. Freezing level above summits by day falling to 600m in the evening.
Mon 23 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A much colder day with bright spells and wintry showers, freezing level 400m. Strong summit winds.
Tue 24 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with rain spreading across Scotland and freezing levels rising above summits. Fresh to strong summit winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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