Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for sunny spells and a few afternoon showers, low for day to day details. High confidence in turning cloudier and a touch cooler from Sunday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
Cloudy start, a dry sunny afternoon, a few heavy showers.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 20% | 20% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
E
11
|
SE
12
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
NE
10
|
E
12
|
| 900m |
E
11
|
SE
12
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
NE
9
|
E
12
|
| 600m |
E
6
|
SE
10
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
NE
8
|
E
9
|
| 300m |
E
5
|
E
2
|
E
3
|
NE
3
|
NE
3
|
E
4
|
| Glen |
E
4
|
SE
3
|
W
4
|
W
5
|
NW
4
|
NE
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 |
| 900m | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 |
| 600m | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
| 300m | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Glen | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
11°
|
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| 900m |
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 600m |
13°
|
14°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
16°
|
19°
|
19°
|
18°
|
15°
|
| Glen |
16°
|
18°
|
20°
|
18°
|
19°
|
16°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
2,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
9°
|
8°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
9°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
16°
|
19°
|
19°
|
18°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
16°
|
18°
|
20°
|
18°
|
19°
|
16°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Suitable skincare and eyewear required due to prolonged sunshine.
Weather
Some areas of low cloud with mist or hill fog in the valleys at first. This clearing soon after dawn to leave a dry and sunny day. Chance of the odd heavy shower developing in the afternoon, with a chance of thunder. Some patches of mist or fog forming again in valleys in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% or higher
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with mist or hill fog in the valleys below 200m at first, clearing soon after dawn with the tops remaining clear. Then excellent generally visibilities, but falling poor should a shower pass by. Some low cloud returning in the evening to eastern areas.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Early low cloud clearing. Then some bright sunny spells before scattered heavy afternoon showers develop with a chance of thunder, dying out in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% or higher.
Maximum wind speed expected
East 10-15mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 9 rising to plus 14 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 10 rising to plus 19 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Early low cloud with hill fog below 300m, soon clearing after dawn. Then mainly clear tops and excellent visibilities, but dropping suddenly when any heavy showers pass by.
Mountain weather information
Sat 18 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy morning with patchy rain, sunny spells in the afternoon.
Sun 19 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and with showery outbreaks of rain. Some brighter spells.
Mon 20 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with a few showers.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Separated from the Grampians by the Great Glen the weather forecast area includes Wester Ross, Assynt, Sutherland, Knoydart, Torridon, Glen Affric and the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service