Mountain weather

Southwest Highlands

Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High confidence for the rather cloudy conditions on Sunday morning, with some uncertainty on the extent of any brighter breaks in the afternoon as cloud bases lift. High confidence for the change to much colder conditions into midweek.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

hazard 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.
hazard 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.
hazard 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 occasional hill fog in the morning, some sunnier spells developing later.

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Fog Fog Overcast Cloudy Overcast Cloudy
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
20% 20% 20% 10% 30% 10%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m NE
4
NE
5
NE
7
N
6
N
9
N
9
900m E
7
SE
9
NE
3
N
5
NW
7
N
6
600m NE
9
NE
8
NE
5
N
4
NW
7
N
7
300m N
6
NE
6
N
5
N
5
W
6
N
4
Glen NE
6
NE
5
NE
3
N
3
W
5
NW
5
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m 5 7 9 8 11 12
900m 10 11 5 7 10 9
600m 11 10 7 6 10 10
300m 8 8 7 7 9 7
Glen 13 8 5 5 10 8

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m
900m
600m
300m
10°
10°
10°
Glen
10°
12°
13°
12°
Freezing Level
1,600m
1,500m
1,600m
1,600m
1,500m
1,300m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m
-1°
-2°
-1°
-2°
-4°
900m
600m
300m
10°
Glen
10°
12°
13°
12°

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Risk of difficult navigation in poor visibility at first. Conditions improving somewhat as cloud bases lift into the afternoon. Cooler than of late, note the sub zero wind chill on summits and lowering of the freezing level overnight.

Weather

A cloudy morning with areas of hill fog and a few spots of light drizzle. Cloud will gradually lift through the day, with some bright and sunnier spells developing by late afternoon which may trigger the odd shower.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

20% in the morning, increasing to 60% by late afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Occasional cloud bases around 600-800m at first in the morning, breaking up and lifting to around 900-1000m during afternoon. Visibility will be generally good below cloud bases, best in the afternoon.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

A dry and bright morning with sunny spells. Cloud will tend to increase in the afternoon and bring a few showery outbreaks of rain. Sub-zero wind chill on summits.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

80% in the morning, 40% by late afternoon.

Maximum wind speed expected

Gusting 25-30mph on summits and ridges.

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 2 rising 7 Celsius.
  • Glen Plus 4 rising 13 Celsius.
  • Freezing level 1200m

Low cloud and visibility

Patchy cloud bases bubbling up above most summits in the morning. During the afternoon cloud bases will occasionally become more extensive and lower to 800-1000m.

Mountain weather information

Tue 5 May

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Much colder than of late, with a few showers or outbreaks of rain and hill snow. Freezing level 700m.

Wed 6 May

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Another cold day and rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain and hill snow. Freezing level 800m.

Thu 7 May

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Cloudy with showers or outbreaks of rain. Remaining on the chilly side for the time of year.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service