Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in largely dry and settled conditions with high pressure dominating until later on Monday, but lower confidence in cloud amounts.
This evening forecast
Dry with largely clear summits and good visibilities over Lochaber, Moidart and the island ranges, perhaps the odd temporary patch of cloud down to 300-500m. With skies remaining clear here expect a widespread frost to form and mist or fog patches particularly in sheltered glens. Extensive areas of low cloud down to 300-500m over the Trossachs, and variable areas of cloud around other eastern ranges such as Glen Coe and Nevis Ranges with visibilities poor in hill fog, though some higher summits will poke out above the cloud layer. Feeling cold so suitable clothing is advised. Fresh to strong east to southeast winds with gusts reaching 40-50mph over and to the lee of some higher summits.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry. Cloudy morning. Bright or sunny spells later. Chilly.
| 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% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
SE
15
|
SE
12
|
SE
11
|
S
8
|
E
9
|
NE
11
|
NE
12
|
NE
13
|
| 900m |
SE
17
|
E
15
|
E
10
|
E
6
|
E
5
|
E
8
|
E
10
|
E
9
|
| 600m |
SW
6
|
S
7
|
S
6
|
SE
3
|
NE
5
|
NE
6
|
NE
8
|
NE
8
|
| 300m |
E
5
|
E
4
|
E
3
|
NE
2
|
N
3
|
NE
3
|
NE
4
|
N
4
|
| Glen |
N
2
|
NW
4
|
NE
2
|
NE
2
|
NE
2
|
N
2
|
NE
2
|
NE
3
|
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 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 900m | 21 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
| 600m | 8 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| 300m | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Glen | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
800m
|
700m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
700m
|
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°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Glen |
-1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling cold at height so suitable clothing required. Windy conditions in the early hours will make for fairly arduous walking on exposed terrain with buffeting of clothing and balance may be affected at times. Winds will have eased by sunrise.
Weather
Quite widespread areas of low cloud around the east of the area in the morning, especially through the Trossachs, Glen Coe, and Nevis Ranges, with smaller patches elsewhere. Higher summits may poke out above the cloud layer. Where skies remain clear overnight, expect a widespread frost to develop and areas of mist or fog around the glens which will be slow to clear through the morning. Cloud is likely to retreat through the day leaving clear, sunny spells and variable cloud. Feeling chilly at height. Light winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% rising to 75%.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite extensive areas of low cloud around 500m or lower in the morning and poor visibilities in hill fog, with higher summits rising above the cloud layer. Away from this, mist or fog forming in glens confined to low elevations. Cloud gradually clearing to leave occasionally clear summits and good visibilities later in the day.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Variable cloud and clear spells in the morning. Becoming cloudier through the middle of the day and the afternoon as a weak front pushes south, with the odd spot of light rain possible, and freshening winds. This clears through the evening bringing clear spells and variable cloud again.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
65% in morning, falling to 35% in afternoon, best chances in the west.
Maximum wind speed expected
East to Northeast 20-30mph, gusting 30-40mph, perhaps 50mph over the highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C to plus 2C.
- Glen Minus 2C rising to plus 5C.
- Freezing level 800-1000m in morning, rising to 1200m as front goes through. Falling to 600-800m again in late evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Clear spells and some patches of cloud around in the morning. Becoming widespread or extensive down to 500-700m through the afternoon and evening with visibilities falling poor in hill fog, though higher summits may still rise above the cloud layer. The sheltered west seeing the best chance of remaining clear through the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Sun 28 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with clear or sunny spells. Cold with freezing level around 300-500m. Light and variable winds.
Mon 29 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry, bright spells. Freezing level 300-500m rising 800-1000m later. Light to moderate northerly winds.
Tue 30 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells in south. Variable cloud and a few showers in north and coastal ranges, wintry above 800-1000m. Light to moderate northerly winds.
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