Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Southwest Highlands

Confidence

High for a cooler spell with some showers at first then turning drier.

Mountain hazards

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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.

Mountain weather forecast

Mainly cloudy with some showers, some heavy with the chance of lightning. Light to moderate breezes.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Cloudy Cloudy Light rain Heavy Rain Light rain Cloudy
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
40%
50%
40%
50%
40%
20%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
1300m S 12mph knots
S
12mph
SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
W 7mph knots
W
7mph
NE 14mph knots
NE
14mph
NE 16mph knots
NE
16mph
900m
900m SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
SW 3mph knots
SW
3mph
NW 3mph knots
NW
3mph
NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
NE 10mph knots
NE
10mph
NE 13mph knots
NE
13mph
600m
600m S 8mph knots
S
8mph
NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
W 6mph knots
W
6mph
NE 15mph knots
NE
15mph
NE 19mph knots
NE
19mph
300m
300m SE 5mph knots
SE
5mph
W 3mph knots
W
3mph
NW 4mph knots
NW
4mph
W 5mph knots
W
5mph
N 9mph knots
N
9mph
N 9mph knots
N
9mph
Glen
Glen S 2mph knots
S
2mph
E 3mph knots
E
3mph
E 3mph knots
E
3mph
S 4mph knots
S
4mph
NE 6mph knots
NE
6mph
NE 8mph knots
NE
8mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
1300m 14mph 6mph 7mph 9mph 18mph 21mph
900m
900m 11mph 5mph 5mph 8mph 14mph 19mph
600m
600m 9mph 7mph 6mph 8mph 19mph 24mph
300m
300m 6mph 4mph 6mph 7mph 16mph 17mph
Glen
Glen 5mph 4mph 5mph 6mph 14mph 20mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
1300m 0 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius
900m
900m 4 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius
600m
600m 7 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 10 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Glen
Glen 12 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1900m
1900m
2000m
2000m
2100m
2000m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Shower and cloud detail uncertain. Medium UV levels mean sun protection will be required.

Weather

Variable cloud through the day with occasional showers. Some of these will be heavy, with the chance of hail and lightning, especially over Kintyre and Arran. The showers becoming light and isolated in the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

40%.

Low cloud and visibility

Occasional cloud above 750m and frequent above 1000m. Visibility away from cloud occasionally poor in the heavier showers but mainly good otherwise.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast