Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for gradually improving conditions for Monday, but lowering for the detail of the break down to more unsettled fare from late Tuesday.
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.
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
Rather cloudy start, but mainly dry with brighter spells building. Winds mainly light.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 10% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SE
12
|
SE
8
|
SE
7
|
W
5
|
N
5
|
E
7
|
| 900m |
SE
12
|
SE
8
|
SE
7
|
W
5
|
N
5
|
E
7
|
| 600m |
SE
10
|
SE
7
|
SE
6
|
W
6
|
NE
5
|
E
4
|
| 300m |
E
8
|
SE
5
|
SE
4
|
W
3
|
N
4
|
E
4
|
| Glen |
E
10
|
SE
7
|
S
4
|
W
6
|
W
2
|
NE
2
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 900m | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 600m | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| 300m | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Glen | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
8°
|
8°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
9°
|
12°
|
13°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 600m |
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
15°
|
18°
|
18°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
14°
|
18°
|
20°
|
19°
|
16°
|
16°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,500m
|
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
6°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
7°
|
10°
|
12°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
11°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
14°
|
18°
|
18°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
17°
|
20°
|
18°
|
17°
|
16°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Risk of sunburn in afternoon exposure.
Weather
Most staying dry with sunny spells focused across western peaks during the morning, before increasing from the east through the afternoon and evening. However the odd light shower may appear, chiefly during the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% becoming 75% late afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate briefly in showers, very poor within cloud with bases quite frequent at first from 700m, before lifting and breaking from the east from midday.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A fine dry and sunny morning. Cloud increasing from the east from mid-day bringing some scattered sharp showers late afternoon to eastern ranges, such as Ben Wyvis, these building and edging westwards during the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% plus becoming 75% late afternoon, then lowering from the east through the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly less than 15mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 8 Celsius increasing 12 Celsius during the afternoon
- Glen Plus 13 Celsius increasing 21 Celsius during the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in later showers, very poor within cloud with bases occasionally lowering 700m later in the day.
Mountain weather information
Wed 22 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with frequent showers that merge to longer periods of rain at times. North to northwest winds freshening later. Freezing level above all peaks.
Thu 23 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overcast with occasional rain, heaviest and most persistent across northern ranges. Fresh to strong north to northeast winds. Freezing level above all peaks.
Fri 24 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overcast with occasional rain. Fresh east to southeast winds. Freezing level above all peaks.
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