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West Highland: forecast weather

Wednesday, 8 February 2012: dawn to dusk

Printable view Forecast issued: 0317 on Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Overview for Wednesday

It will be a windy day across all climbing areas of Scotland. Rain over the West Coast will extend across the West Highland area later in morning and early afternoon.

Hazards	Risk	Explanation
Blizzards	No Risk
Heavy snow	No Risk
Storm force winds	Medium	Storm force gusts possible over highest ridges/summits of Northwest Highlands.
Gales	High	Across all higher ridges and summits.
Severe chill effect	Medium	Temperatures above freezing but still significant due to strong winds.
Persistent and extensive hill fog	High	Developing across Skye, Lochaber and Argyll
Thunderstorms	No Risk
Heavy persistent rain	No Risk
Strong Sunlight	No Risk

key to hazards and forecast content

Weather summary and probability of precipitation for Wednesday
Dawn to 0900	0900 to 1200	1200 to 1500	1500 to dusk
Cloudy	Light rain	Light rain	Light rain
10-30%	50-70%	70-90%	70-90%

Detailed mountain weather forecast: West Highlands

Wednesday
Thursday
Outlook
Useful Links

Wednesday

Weather

It will be a cloudy day. Many parts of the West Highland area will get off to a dry start. Rain soon reaching the mountains of Skye and Torridon will extend across the Northwest Highland and into Lochaber later in the morning. This rain will continue southeastwards across the hills of Argyll and the Trossachs during the afternoon. Some heavier rain will affect Glencoe towards dusk but the rain mostly light elsewhere. Small risk of freezing rain and icy surfaces between 300M and 800M elevation over parts of Rannoch Moor, leading to treacherous walking conditions.

Visibility

Generally good at first with hills in the near distance clearly visible but a haze will obscure more distant hills. The visibility will become moderate or poor in the rain across the Northwest later in the morning and all parts during afternoon. It may even cause some navigational difficulties.

Hill fog

Occasional fog above about 500 to 600M, becoming more extensive as the rain sets in across Lochaber and Argyll. Even some patches forming down around 300M.

Maximum winds above 600m

Severe gale force southerly winds, average speeds of 40 to 50mph with gusts 70, especially over the Northwest Highlands. There will be severe buffeting with a risk of being blown over.

Temperature

Glens	Plus 3 Celsius rising to plus 7 Celsius.
900 m	Plus 2 Celsius rising to plus 5 Celsius.
Freezing level	Above the summits.

Thursday

Weather

It will be a mainly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain and extensive hill fog. The rain will be mostly light and patchy but some heavier outbreaks during the day, especially over Lochaber and Glencoe. Perhaps some late brightness developing late afternoon over Sutherland

Visibility

Generally moderate or poor.

Hill fog

Extensive fog above about 500 to 600M but down to 300M at times, especially over hills near to the West Coast.

Maximum winds above 600m

Southwesterly winds with average speeds of around 25mph.

Temperature

Glens	Plus 4 Celsius rising to plus 7 Celsius.
900 m	Plus 4 Celsius.
Freezing level	Above the summits.

Outlook

Friday

It will stay mostly cloudy with further outbreaks of rain. There will be some heavier outbreaks at first but drier, brighter weather will edge in from the Northwest during the afternoon. Fresh southwest then lighter northwesterly winds across the tops.

Saturday

A drier and brighter day across the West Highland area. There will be some sunshine and winds will be light at all levels. The freezing level lowering to about 900M.

Sunday

Mainly dry, bright at first. Sleet and snow will edge in from the Northwest during the day. Southwesterly winds becoming strong with gales developing over the Northwest Highlands. There will be severe wind-chill over higher ridges and summits.