Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for the general themes and colder conditions from Tuesday. Some uncertainty on the timing of showers arriving Monday afternoon.
This evening forecast
Dry but rather cloudy with patches of hill fog above 800m.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry morning, risk of showers late afternoon, wintry on summits. Cold with a significant windchill.
| 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% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
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 |
NW
11
|
NW
13
|
W
14
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
W
18
|
W
16
|
W
14
|
| 900m |
NW
5
|
W
7
|
W
9
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
W
12
|
| 600m |
NW
6
|
SW
8
|
SW
10
|
W
13
|
W
15
|
W
15
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
| 300m |
N
4
|
NE
3
|
SE
4
|
W
8
|
W
11
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
W
5
|
| Glen |
NW
5
|
NW
5
|
N
2
|
W
8
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
5
|
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 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 18 |
| 900m | 7 | 10 | 13 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 16 |
| 600m | 8 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 15 |
| 300m | 6 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 10 |
| Glen | 9 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-4°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Another chilly day, note the sub zero wind chill at height.
Weather
A dry morning with sunny spells, just the odd patch of hill fog shrouding some higher tops first thing. Becoming cloudier later with a few light showery outbreaks of rain by mid to late afternoon spreading across from the northwest, these falling as snow above 1100m. Feeling cold with moderate to fresh winds bringing a significant wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%, best chances in morning and early afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
A few patches of cloud above 1000m first thing, otherwise summits mostly clear in the morning and early afternoon. Showery outbreaks of rain from mid to late afternoon may bring cloud bases down to 1000m with brief visibility deteriorations below. Otherwise visibility will be generally excellent.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cold and bright day with sunny spells and a few light showers, falling as snow above 600m. Feeling bitter for the time of year with a significant windchill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Gusting 25-30mph in exposure.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 rising plus 3 celsius.
- Glen Plus 1 rising 9 celsius.
- Freezing level 700m rising 900m during daytime.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases generally above summit levels, but perhaps briefly falling to 1000m in wintry showers. Visibility will be generally excellent, but deteriorating briefly to a few kilometres in snow showers.
Mountain weather information
Wed 6 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright but fairly cloudy, some hazy sunny spells and light winds. Remaining cool, freezing level 800m.
Thu 7 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Patchy cloud with a few showery outbreaks of rain. Moderate to fresh winds. Freezing level 1200m.
Fri 8 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Variable cloud with risk of showers or longer spells of rain.
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