Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in seeing generally unsettled weather, but low for details Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy and windy with rain. Likely drier northeast.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 40% | 50% | 30% | 30% | 50% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
S
41
|
S
39
|
S
37
|
S
38
|
S
36
|
S
35
|
| 900m |
S
27
|
S
28
|
S
26
|
S
25
|
S
25
|
S
24
|
| 600m |
S
40
|
S
43
|
S
39
|
S
38
|
S
37
|
S
38
|
| 300m |
S
17
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
| Glen |
S
6
|
S
9
|
S
14
|
S
10
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 49 | 48 | 46 | 47 | 45 | 44 |
| 900m | 35 | 37 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 33 |
| 600m | 46 | 50 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 45 |
| 300m | 25 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 |
| Glen | 21 | 22 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
2,200m
|
2,400m
|
2,100m
|
2,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of 50-60mph or so will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance and energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. This combined with quite extensive low cloud means navigation could be challenging. A damp day with quite persistent rain and ongoing thaw of snow may lead to swollen watercourses and heavy walking conditions including icy patches, and feeling cold at height, so suitable clothing is advised. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).
Weather
A cloudy day with some patches of light rain or drizzle, perhaps turning more persistent for a time in the afternoon. Best chance of drier and clearer weather towards the Trossachs and island ranges in the morning. Cold at height with strong southerly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally little to no chance, 20% or less over island ranges in the morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities poor in rain, drizzle or hill fog.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Low confidence in exact details. Cloudy with rain through the morning, heavy at times. Rain turning showery later in the day with some limited brighter spells possible. Feeling a touch milder than Tuesday, but still quite cold at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little to no chance much of the day. 25% or less later.
Maximum wind speed expected
South to southwest 25-35mph, perhaps gusting 45-50mph over the very highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3C to plus 6C.
- Glen Plus 8C to plus 11C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities poor in rain or hill fog. Limited chance of temporary clear spells between showers later.
Mountain weather information
Thu 26 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers, heavy at times, wintry on the tops. Freezing level around 1000-1200m or so. Strong southwest winds.
Fri 27 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence. Chance of persistent rain in the morning. Otherwise showers, heavy at times. Freezing level falling to 600m or so. Strong southwest veering northwest winds.
Sat 28 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and wintry showers to start. Rain spreading east later. Strong south or southwest 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