Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in mainly dry and settled conditions on Thursday and Friday, but some uncertainty on the cloud detail, especially Thursday afternoon.
This evening forecast
A dry and settled evening with a few patches of hill fog developing on summits between lengthy clear spells.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry and settled with sunny spells, but more cloud in afternoon. Light winds, moderate on summits.
| 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) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | 00% | <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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
N
5
|
NE
6
|
NE
5
|
E
6
|
NE
6
|
SW
7
|
S
10
|
SE
13
|
| 900m |
N
5
|
NE
3
|
E
5
|
SE
6
|
S
5
|
S
7
|
S
9
|
SE
10
|
| 600m |
SE
5
|
NE
4
|
NE
6
|
NE
4
|
E
5
|
NW
5
|
S
8
|
SE
7
|
| 300m |
NE
2
|
NE
2
|
NE
3
|
N
3
|
NE
4
|
W
4
|
S
4
|
SE
5
|
| Glen |
NW
3
|
NW
3
|
N
2
|
NE
2
|
E
2
|
W
2
|
S
3
|
S
4
|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 16 |
| 900m | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 600m | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 |
| 300m | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Glen | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
6°
|
4°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
9°
|
11°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
7°
|
11°
|
13°
|
11°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
0°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
2°
|
5°
|
7°
|
5°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
8°
|
10°
|
8°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
5°
|
3°
|
6°
|
11°
|
13°
|
10°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Settled conditions bringing largely pleasant conditions, however note the sub-zero windchill on summits.
Weather
Overnight patchy mist or fog in glens quickly clearing at first. Then a dry and settled day with sunny spells, the best of the sunshine around Lochaber but turning generally cloudier around the Trossachs into the afternoon. Light winds, moderate at times on summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%, decreasing to 40% in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Any isolated patches of cloud above 900m in the morning generally lifting above summits, despite somewhat cloudier skies for the afternoon. Visibility will be generally very good, but poor or very poor in any fog.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Early morning mist and fog patches in glens quickly clearing. Then a dry day with sunny spells and just a few patches of cloud around summits at times. A touch milder and breezier than Thursday.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% rising to 80%.
Maximum wind speed expected
15-20mph gusting 25-30mph on summits and ridges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 rising 7 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 3 rising 13 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Patches of cloud above 700m at first, lifting above summits through the morning. Visibility will be generally very good, but poor or very poor in early fog.
Mountain weather information
Sat 21 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry but cloudy, some hill fog at times. Moderate to fresh summit winds. Freezing level 1200m.
Sun 22 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain spreading east. Fresh to strong summit winds. Freezing level 1200m.
Mon 23 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A cooler day with rain or showers, snow on hills. Moderate to fresh summit winds. Freezing level 400m.
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