Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a generally unsettled few days with heavy rain or showers at times. Low for details of any timings. A chance of more settled conditions by mid-week, but large uncertainty at this stage.
This evening forecast
A mainly dry evening and start to the night with a few scattered showers. Some late sunshine, then occasional clear spells after dark. Light to moderate southerly winds across the summits.
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.
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
Mostly dry, a few west coast showers. Rain in the east late afternoon.
| 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) |
20% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
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
12
|
SE
12
|
SE
12
|
SE
10
|
SE
15
|
SE
17
|
SE
21
|
E
19
|
| 900m |
SE
9
|
SE
12
|
SE
13
|
SE
11
|
SE
14
|
SE
16
|
SE
18
|
E
16
|
| 600m |
SE
5
|
E
5
|
E
6
|
SE
5
|
E
9
|
E
12
|
SE
13
|
E
11
|
| 300m |
SE
3
|
E
4
|
E
3
|
SE
6
|
S
5
|
SE
9
|
E
7
|
NE
5
|
| Glen |
SE
2
|
SE
2
|
SE
1
|
E
3
|
SE
5
|
SE
4
|
E
5
|
NE
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 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 23 |
| 900m | 11 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 22 |
| 600m | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 |
| 300m | 4 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 8 |
| Glen | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
11°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
12°
|
| 600m |
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
17°
|
17°
|
15°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
15°
|
15°
|
16°
|
17°
|
19°
|
19°
|
17°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
16°
|
16°
|
17°
|
20°
|
21°
|
21°
|
19°
|
17°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,800m
|
2,700m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,800m
|
3,000m
|
3,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| 600m |
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
13°
|
13°
|
| 300m |
15°
|
15°
|
16°
|
17°
|
19°
|
18°
|
17°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
16°
|
16°
|
18°
|
20°
|
21°
|
21°
|
19°
|
18°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Some uncertainty in timing of rain later in the day, and its western extent.
Weather
Dry overnight and for much of the day for most hills, but occasional showers will affect western coastal hills. Mostly cloudy, but some brighter spells. From mid-late afternoon outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain will spread northwest, these mainly affecting the Trossachs and eastern parts of Lochaber.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%, but 10% or less across eastern hills in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Some poor visibility to start in cloud, bases around 500m. Becoming very good as cloud gradually lifts above the summits, but slow to clear over the Trossachs with some patchy cloud remaining above 800m here. Poor visibility in lowering cloud across eastern hills late afternoon and evening, bases dropping to 500m.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Some mainly light patchy rain through the early hours. Then outbreaks of rain throughout the day, these turning heavier in the afternoon with a risk of thunder. Some heavy outbreaks of rain continuing into the night.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% in the east, 40% in the west
Maximum wind speed expected
East 20-25 gusting 30 mph, turning Southeast in the evening. But East 10-15 mph across Arran.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 12 Celsius rising to 16 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 15 Celsius rising to 20 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally very poor visibility in low cloud, bases 500-700m, occasionally lifting to around 900m. Bases highest in the west.
Mountain weather information
Mon 21 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A warm day with light winds. Heavy showers breaking out, with a risk of thunderstorms at times.
Tue 22 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further showers, heavy at times, some sunny spells. Light winds
Wed 23 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A chance of some drier more settled conditions developing, although large uncertainties.
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