Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for unsettled weather and strong southeast winds. Low confidence in daily cloud and rain or summit snow details.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Mountain weather forecast
Overcast morning, some rain. Brighter afternoon. Strengthening winds. Bitterly cold.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 50% | <05% | <05% | 40% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SE
38
|
SE
38
|
SE
40
|
SE
46
|
SE
51
|
SE
57
|
| 900m |
SE
27
|
SE
26
|
SE
30
|
SE
35
|
SE
39
|
SE
42
|
| 600m |
SE
34
|
SE
33
|
SE
34
|
SE
37
|
SE
43
|
SE
49
|
| 300m |
SE
16
|
SE
16
|
SE
16
|
SE
16
|
SE
23
|
SE
26
|
| Glen |
SE
5
|
E
4
|
E
5
|
E
7
|
E
10
|
SE
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 46 | 46 | 49 | 57 | 64 | 71 |
| 900m | 35 | 33 | 39 | 45 | 51 | 55 |
| 600m | 40 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 53 | 61 |
| 300m | 24 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 36 | 39 |
| Glen | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 22 | 28 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-11°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
-13°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note the strengthening winds through the day, with gusts over 50mph giving very difficult walking conditions with progress highly impeded and a significant risk of being blown over and storm force gusts over the highest summits meaning any mobility will be almost impossible on exposed ground with a risk of being blown off your feet. There will still be icy surfaces and lying snow at height so keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS). Feeling bitterly cold at height so suitable clothing is advised.
Weather
Overcast with widespread cloud and outbreaks of mostly light rain or drizzle throughout the morning, though there will be some heavier bursts at times. Becoming dry with bright or sunny spells as this cloud clears north from late morning. Turning cloudier again from the south through the late afternoon and evening with again some patchy light rain, or drizzle. Strengthening southeast winds through the day. Snow falling above 1000m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance in morning, rising to 75% in afternoon. Falling to 25% or less in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite widespread cloud down to Areas of cloud around 300-500m in the morning and visibilities falling moderate or poor in outbreaks of rain and hill fog. Cloud becomes well-broken in the afternoon but still some patches around. Cloud becomes widespread again down to 400-600m through the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy and windy in the morning with as a band of rain spreads northeast, wintry above 800-900m. Dry with brighter spells and easing winds for a time in the late morning before more cloud, rain, and strong winds spread north through the afternoon. Feeling bitterly cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance morning and from mid-afternoon, rising 60% for a time in the middle of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast backing east, 45-55mph, gusting 60-70mph, gusts in excess of 90mph over the highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m 0C to plus 2C.
- Glen Plus 4C to plus 8C.
- Freezing level 1000-1200m morning, falling to 800m afternoon, rising to 1400-1600m evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite widespread cloud down to 300-500m and visibilities falling moderate or poor in rain, drizzle or hill fog. Cloud becomes quite well broken with excellent visibilities from late morning to mid-afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Thu 22 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, persistent and heavy at times. Freezing level falling to 600-800m later. Very strong east to southeast winds.
Fri 23 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying cloudy with outbreaks of rain, mainly over the Trossachs, drier in the northwest. Freezing level rising to 800-1000m. Very strong east to southeast winds.
Sat 24 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy again with outbreaks of rain, mainly in south and east, drier in the northwest. Freezing level around 800-1000m. Very strong east to southeast 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