Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for continuing unsettled pattern with some persistent and heavy rain at times from Saturday. Low confidence for the synoptic situation from Monday but unsettled conditions expected to persist.
This evening forecast
Outbreaks of rain, persistent and heavy at first becoming light and patchy from late evening. Strong southwest summit wind.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry and sunny with showers northwest later. Summit winds will strengthen to near gale southwest by the 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) |
40% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 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 |
S
18
|
S
21
|
S
24
|
S
32
|
S
35
|
S
38
|
S
39
|
SW
38
|
| 900m |
SW
12
|
S
14
|
S
15
|
S
20
|
S
23
|
S
26
|
SW
28
|
SW
27
|
| 600m |
S
15
|
S
17
|
S
21
|
S
27
|
S
32
|
S
33
|
S
35
|
SW
34
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
S
9
|
S
11
|
S
15
|
S
16
|
S
17
|
S
17
|
S
18
|
| Glen |
S
4
|
S
4
|
S
3
|
S
6
|
SW
7
|
S
9
|
S
13
|
SW
13
|
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 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 38 | 43 | 48 | 49 | 49 |
| 900m | 14 | 18 | 20 | 27 | 30 | 36 | 38 | 37 |
| 600m | 18 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 39 | 41 | 44 | 43 |
| 300m | 13 | 12 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 |
| Glen | 11 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 28 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Be aware that the wind will be strengthening to lower levels through the afternoon, making walking difficult on exposed ridges and peaks. Despite sunny periods it will feel bitterly cold in the strong wind.
Weather
Early light rain soon dies as clear periods increase overnight. Much of the day will stay dry with sunny periods. Cloud will increase from the west during the afternoon with showers, some thundery spreading east as far south as Jura and Argyll from mid-afternoon and into the early evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% with the best of the clear hill tops away from the northwest.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud 700-900m will increase from the west during the afternoon with the base lowering 400-600m. The visibility will be mostly good, falling poor in showers later.
Mountain weather information
Weather
The morning will begin dry with bright spells but cloud will soon move in from the northwest with outbreaks of rain following by mid-morning. The rain will be persistent and heavy.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%, the best of this in the southeast
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 55-65mph gust 75-85mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4C
- Glen Plus 3C rising plus 11C
- Freezing level 1000m, rising above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy early cloud will soon be replaced by extensive cloud 500-700m with the visibility falling very poor in heavy rain.
Mountain weather information
Sun 14 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain, prolonged and heavy. Strong south increasing gale southwest summit winds. Freezing level 1000m, rising above the summits.
Mon 15 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with bright spells then scattered afternoon showers. Strong south turning fresh east summit winds. Freezing level 800m.
Tue 16 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry, a few showers northwest. Gale northwest summit winds. Freezing level 800m.
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