Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for changeable weather with drier spells interspersed between periods of more unsettled weather.
This evening forecast
Extensive cloud down to 500-600m with some outbreaks of patchy rain, with the driest conditions in the east. West winds gusting 30-35mph on the highest summits will make conditions feel cold at height.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the morning, turning drier and brighter through the afternoon and evening.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 50% | 50% | 30% | 20% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
NW
19
|
NW
19
|
NW
16
|
NW
18
|
NW
14
|
W
14
|
W
12
|
W
13
|
| 900m |
NW
18
|
NW
18
|
NW
16
|
NW
18
|
NW
14
|
W
14
|
W
12
|
W
13
|
| 600m |
NW
13
|
NW
13
|
NW
12
|
NW
14
|
NW
12
|
W
12
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
| 300m |
NW
6
|
NW
7
|
NW
7
|
NW
7
|
NW
7
|
NW
7
|
W
6
|
W
5
|
| Glen |
W
9
|
NW
8
|
NW
8
|
NW
8
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 24 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 |
| 900m | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 |
| 600m | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
| 300m | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 14 |
| Glen | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
2,100m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling unseasonably cold at height, particularly under extensive cloud and fresh to strong summits winds, meaning that suitable clothing is required.
Weather
Extensive cloud through the morning with outbreaks of rain or drizzle, drier and clearer from late morning towards Skye and Knoydart. The cloud slowly lifting and breaking through the afternoon and evening to allow for some brightness, with some clear spells for a time before further cloud and rain spread in to the west coast just before midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less in the morning, the best chances in the east. Rising to 50% in the middle of the day, and 70% in the evening, the best chances in the south.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud down to 500-600m in the morning with moderate or poor visibilities in rain, drizzle or hill fog. This cloud lifting generally to around 800m through the afternoon with some breaks developing into the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Band of rain pushes east through the day, with drier and brighter conditions in the afternoon and possibly some late sunny spells developing. Still feeling unseasonably cold at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% or less rising to 80% or more.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest veering northwest, 15-20mph gusting 25-30mph, rising to 20-25mph, gusting 30-35mph in the evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 6 rising to plus 9 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 9 rising to plus 15 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud down to 500m or so for much of the day, lifting and breaking to mainly clear summits and only patches of cloud around 800-1000m in the late afternoon and evening.
Mountain weather information
Tue 2 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with scattered showers. Fresh to strong west to northwest winds.
Wed 3 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Band of rain crosses in the morning, followed by scattered showers, heavy at times. Strong westerly winds.
Thu 4 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers or longer spells of rain. Strong westerly winds.
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