Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Southwest Highlands

Confidence

Low for extent and duration of rain on Friday. High for changeable to continue over the weekend.

Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

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.

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.
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

Cloudy with rain at times, occasionally heavy and thundery

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Cloudy Light rain showers Heavy rain showers Thunderstorm Light rain Cloudy
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
50%
40%
60%
40%
40%
30%

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 NE 10mph knots
NE
10mph
NE 11mph knots
NE
11mph
NE 11mph knots
NE
11mph
NE 14mph knots
NE
14mph
E 17mph knots
E
17mph
E 24mph knots
E
24mph
900m
900m NE 8mph knots
NE
8mph
NE 9mph knots
NE
9mph
E 9mph knots
E
9mph
E 11mph knots
E
11mph
SE 17mph knots
SE
17mph
SE 17mph knots
SE
17mph
600m
600m NE 11mph knots
NE
11mph
NE 13mph knots
NE
13mph
NE 14mph knots
NE
14mph
NE 13mph knots
NE
13mph
E 11mph knots
E
11mph
E 14mph knots
E
14mph
300m
300m N 6mph knots
N
6mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
NE 9mph knots
NE
9mph
NE 7mph knots
NE
7mph
Glen
Glen NE 3mph knots
NE
3mph
NE 9mph knots
NE
9mph
NE 9mph knots
NE
9mph
NE 8mph knots
NE
8mph
E 7mph knots
E
7mph
E 4mph knots
E
4mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
1300m 13mph 14mph 15mph 19mph 22mph 30mph
900m
900m 9mph 12mph 13mph 15mph 22mph 23mph
600m
600m 15mph 17mph 18mph 17mph 15mph 18mph
300m
300m 13mph 16mph 15mph 15mph 13mph 11mph
Glen
Glen 10mph 16mph 16mph 15mph 17mph 14mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
1300m 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
900m
900m 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius
600m
600m 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 16 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius
Glen
Glen 19 degrees Celsius 20 degrees Celsius 20 degrees Celsius 20 degrees Celsius 19 degrees Celsius 19 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3800m
3700m
3700m
3700m
3700m
3400m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Risk of lightning throughout the day, especially in the early hours

Weather

Cloudy throughout with outbreaks of rain, these occasionally heavy and thundery. Some drier spells of weather as well, more especially by mid-evening. Sudden, gusty winds may develop in thunderstorms. Humid.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

40%

Low cloud and visibility

Poor in areas of cloud down to 700 to 1000 metres shrouding the summits at times, although cloud more broken first thing. Visibility quickly becoming poor in torrential downpours.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast