Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a mainly dry day on Sunday then more unsettled, lower for daily cloud details and timings of rain and summit snow.
This evening forecast
A dry evening, with variable cloud and some clear intervals. Some patchy hill fog. Strong southerly summit winds.
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.
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
Mainly dry, cloud lifting to bring some brighter spells later, but some rain likely over the northwest of the area. Strong southerly winds on the tops.
| 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) |
<05% | <05% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 10% |
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
25
|
SE
25
|
SE
25
|
S
28
|
S
30
|
S
28
|
S
24
|
S
22
|
| 900m |
S
17
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
19
|
S
21
|
S
19
|
S
17
|
S
15
|
| 600m |
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
23
|
S
27
|
S
24
|
S
19
|
S
14
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
SE
8
|
SE
9
|
SE
11
|
S
15
|
S
12
|
S
8
|
S
7
|
| Glen |
S
6
|
S
5
|
SW
5
|
S
6
|
S
8
|
S
9
|
S
7
|
S
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 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 35 | 39 | 37 | 32 | 28 |
| 900m | 23 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 22 |
| 600m | 22 | 22 | 23 | 29 | 35 | 32 | 26 | 19 |
| 300m | 12 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 12 |
| Glen | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Strong summit winds making it feel very cold.
Weather
Most of the south and east will have a dry day, extensive cloud in the morning this thinning to allow some brighter spells in the afternoon. Mull and northwest Lochaber will have a little light rain at times, perhaps edging into the Nevis Range later where perhaps a few flurries or sleet or snow on the summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% rising to 70% from mid afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Fairly widespread cloud at 800-1000m tending to lift to 1100m during the afternoon. Away from the hill fog this causes, general visibility will be good, but will be poor at times over Mull and northwest Lochaber in rain or drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with hill fog and outbreaks of rain.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60 20%
Maximum wind speed expected
South to southwesterly 30 gusts 40mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 7 rising to Plus 10 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud 600-750m with areas to 400m or less in the south and west of the area. Visibility also quite poor at times below the cloud in drizzly rain.
Mountain weather information
Tue 10 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A cloudy day with some hill fog and outbreaks of rain, preceded by snow above 1000m. The rain turning heavier and more persistent during the afternoon and evening. Strengthening south to southwest winds with gales, becoming severe later on tops.
Wed 11 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain clearing in early hours then a brighter day with sunny intervals and showers turning to snow down to 800m. Gale or severe gale westerly winds, storm force on the summits.
Thu 12 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Frequent blustery showers, some heavy and turning to snow down to 500-600m. Gale or severe gale west or southwest winds, stormy on the summits.
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