Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence through the period and for a change to more wintry conditions from Thursday.
This evening forecast
Fog in the glens otherwise dry with clear periods and a light northeast 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.
Mountain weather forecast
Fog will affect the glens through the day otherwise most ranges will be dry. Light northeast summit winds freshen later.
| 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) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 20% | 10% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
NE
13
|
NE
14
|
NE
16
|
NE
19
|
E
19
|
E
16
|
| 900m |
NE
7
|
NE
10
|
NE
14
|
E
14
|
NE
15
|
NE
16
|
E
18
|
E
16
|
| 600m |
NE
9
|
NE
12
|
NE
16
|
NE
14
|
NE
14
|
NE
17
|
NE
18
|
E
17
|
| 300m |
NE
4
|
N
4
|
N
5
|
N
4
|
N
5
|
NE
7
|
N
6
|
W
5
|
| Glen |
NE
2
|
N
3
|
NE
3
|
N
2
|
N
2
|
N
4
|
NE
6
|
NE
6
|
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 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
| 900m | 9 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 |
| 600m | 11 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
| 300m | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Glen | 6 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
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°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
100m
|
200m
|
600m
|
800m
|
700m
|
500m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Glen |
-5°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Fog will lower the visibility significantly at low levels but the peaks are likely to remain above the fog. Appropriate clothing will be required as it will feel bitterly cold from moderate heights in the fresh breeze.
Weather
Fog is likely to linger in the glens overnight and through much of the day. This will leave the peaks cloud free, cloud will then spread over northern parts from mid-morning with the odd shower following over the northeast during the afternoon, these wintry above 600m. A few bright or sunny spells are possible in the west and the south where the day will stay dry.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%.
Low cloud and visibility
Fog will make the visibility very poor in the glens. Cloud will be patchy with base 700-900m during the morning, this cloud will increase in the north from late morning. The visibility will be mostly good above the fog.
Mountain weather information
Weather
There remains a continuing risk of fog in the glens, though these may clear for a time in the afternoon. Above any low lying fog the day will stay dry with patchy cloud.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 10-15mph gust 25mph increasing 20-25mph gust 35mph by late afternoon
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 4C
- Glen Minus 3C rising plus 4C
- Freezing level 700m
Low cloud and visibility
The visibility will be very poor in fog in the glens but good above about 400m. Patchy cloud with a base 700-900m will linger through the morning and the visibility will be good above the fog.
Mountain weather information
Wed 31 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with showers spreading south and becoming frequent and wintry at height from the afternoon. Gale westerly summit winds, increase severe gale at times. Freezing level 1000m.
Thu 1 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells interspersed with snow showers, these falling as snow to low levels. Gale northwest summit winds. Freezing level 300m.
Fri 2 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with frequent snow showers. Strong northwest summit winds. Freezing level 200m.
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