Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible. High confidence in a continuing southeast airflow until Monday becoming medium due to uncertainty in the detail of an approaching front on Tuesday.
This evening forecast
Cloudy and mostly dry with the occasional clear spell, but cloudy with the occasional snow shower in the east. Gale southeast summit winds.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Gales on the tops with outbreaks of rain, snow above 500m.
| 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) |
30% | 60% | 80% | 60% | 60% | 50% | 20% | 20% |
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 |
E
51
|
E
52
|
E
53
|
E
49
|
SE
42
|
SE
38
|
SE
35
|
SE
34
|
| 900m |
E
29
|
E
27
|
E
28
|
E
28
|
SE
28
|
SE
28
|
SE
27
|
SE
24
|
| 600m |
NE
30
|
NE
27
|
NE
29
|
E
34
|
E
35
|
SE
36
|
E
30
|
E
21
|
| 300m |
NE
14
|
NE
15
|
NE
15
|
E
13
|
E
14
|
E
15
|
E
11
|
E
10
|
| Glen |
NE
11
|
NE
14
|
NE
13
|
NE
10
|
NE
9
|
NE
11
|
NE
12
|
E
10
|
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 | 62 | 63 | 65 | 61 | 53 | 49 | 46 | 43 |
| 900m | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 40 | 40 | 36 |
| 600m | 39 | 36 | 39 | 44 | 44 | 47 | 39 | 30 |
| 300m | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 21 | 18 |
| Glen | 23 | 28 | 28 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
700m
|
700m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-16°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Strong winds will make walking difficult, with the risk of being blown over on exposed rides and peaks. It will feel bitterly cold from low levels in the strong wind.
Weather
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, persistent at times and falling as snow above 500m. The best of any drier or brighter spells will be found in the west. Bitterly cold conditions will continue with gales on the tops easing slightly through the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally extensive cloud with base 600-800m. The visibility will fall poor or very poor in cloud and blowing snow on upper slopes but stays mostly good below the cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy but mostly dry with the odd snow shower in the north.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 35-40mph gust 50-60mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1C.
- Glen Plus 3C rising plus 6C.
- Freezing level 500m.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud 600-800m for much of the day. Generally good visibility will fall poor or very poor in cloud and any snow showers.
Mountain weather information
Tue 27 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and windy with heavy snow. Severe gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m.
Wed 28 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early snow clears to leave a dry and cold day. Gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m rising briefly 800m in the middle of the day.
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and cold with snow showers. Gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m, lowering 300m later.
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