Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high confidence over the coming days but moderate for detail of low cloud and showers. Confidence becoming low by late Wednesday/Thursday on development and movement of a low pressure system.
This evening forecast
Some late sunshine to end the day, with any heavy showers in the south soon dying off. Cloud increasing near the coasts through the evening with some mist or fog patches later. Light, variable winds.
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 for much of the day, feeling cooler than of late.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
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 |
W
7
|
NW
8
|
W
7
|
NW
5
|
N
4
|
N
6
|
NE
7
|
E
9
|
| 900m |
W
6
|
NW
7
|
W
6
|
NW
5
|
N
4
|
N
6
|
NE
7
|
E
10
|
| 600m |
W
3
|
W
4
|
W
3
|
NW
4
|
N
4
|
N
6
|
NE
7
|
NE
6
|
| 300m |
W
1
|
NW
1
|
NW
1
|
NW
3
|
N
3
|
N
4
|
N
4
|
NE
4
|
| Glen |
S
2
|
SE
1
|
S
1
|
W
3
|
W
4
|
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
N
6
|
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 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 |
| 900m | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 |
| 600m | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| 300m | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
| Glen | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
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 |
6°
|
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Nothing to add.
Weather
Some clear skies at first during the overnight period, mainly in the south and west. Cloud spreading to most parts by around dawn, with the best chance of some brighter spells in the south through the day. Chance of some drizzle under thicker cloud in the north but otherwise mainly dry. Feeling cooler than of late.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% at first, reducing 30% in north and 60% in south
Low cloud and visibility
Few/scattered cloud base 500-700m in the east at first, becoming broken across the north by around dawn. Few/scattered 600-800m in the south, lifting for a time during the afternoon. Visibility poor in hill fog, good at lower levels and out with cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A rather cloudy start to the day with a little drizzle in the north. Cloud breaking up during the first part of the morning to leave bright or sunny spells for the rest of the day. Chance of a few showers developing in the south during the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% soon improving 90%
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 10-15 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 rising to plus 12 Celsius
- Glen Plus 12 rising to plus 18 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered or broken cloud base 500-700m at first, soon lifting and breaking. Visibility generally good, temporary reductions in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Tue 21 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry and sunny during the morning, scattered heavy showers into the afternoon. Moderate easterly winds.
Wed 22 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with scattered showers. Light winds, becoming moderate northerly.
Thu 23 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and potentially rather wet on Thursday. Moderate to strong northwesterly 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