Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for showery conditions to continue until Monday.
This evening forecast
Dry with some clear spells, particularly towards Strathfarrar and Glen Affric. Otherwise variable amounts of cloud, bases around 800m or more. Feeling very cold in brisk north to northwesterly winds.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
A few showers, mainly in the far north. Feeling very cold in fresh northerly winds.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 10% |
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 |
N
19
|
N
18
|
N
15
|
NE
12
|
NE
13
|
N
13
|
NE
12
|
NE
13
|
| 900m |
N
18
|
N
17
|
N
13
|
NE
12
|
NE
13
|
N
13
|
NE
11
|
NE
13
|
| 600m |
N
11
|
N
8
|
N
8
|
NE
11
|
NE
11
|
NE
12
|
NE
11
|
NE
8
|
| 300m |
N
2
|
N
2
|
N
2
|
NE
5
|
NE
6
|
N
8
|
NE
5
|
NE
4
|
| Glen |
N
5
|
N
6
|
NE
5
|
NE
7
|
NE
8
|
N
10
|
NE
10
|
NE
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 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
| 900m | 22 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 |
| 600m | 15 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 12 |
| 300m | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 13 |
| Glen | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
600m
|
500m
|
400m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling bitterly cold in blustery northerly winds and overcast conditions in the morning. Conditions better in the afternoon and evening, though lying snow may result in some glare from the snowpack in any sunny spells. Inversion will give rise to some gusty winds to the lee of higher ground.
Weather
Scattered showers in the north before dawn, falling as snow above 500m, but dry with clear spells towards Skye, Knoydart and Glen Affric. Cloud building through daylight hours with a few light showers at times, before becoming drier and clearer again into the evening. It will feel very cold in fresh northerly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% in the north in the morning. Otherwise rising to 80% before dawn and in the evening, falling to 50% during daylight hours.
Low cloud and visibility
More extensive low cloud in the north in the morning in association with showers, with bases down to 600m and associated poor visibilities. Elsewhere mainly clear skies before dawn and in the evening. Cloud gradually building daylight hours with bases typically 1000m or more, but falling rapidly in any showers that may pass through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Scattered showers in the north, falling as snow above 700m, will develop more widely across the region through the day before dying out in the evening. Continuing to feel cold in light northerly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% during daylight hours, otherwise 80%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northerly 10-15mph, gusting 20-25mph
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 to plus 3 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 2 to plus 7 Celsius.
- Freezing level 600-800m
Low cloud and visibility
Only patchy cloud to 900-1000m in the morning and evening, thickening during daylight hours but mostly above 800m, though falling to 500-600m in scattered snow showers, with associated poor visibilities.
Mountain weather information
Sat 27 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered showers, mostly during daylight hours and towards the west coast. Freezing levels 800-1000m. Light southeasterly winds.
Sun 28 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with sunny spells, but a few showers possible. Freezing level 1000-1200m.
Mon 29 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry at first with scattered showers arriving from the west later. Freezing level 1200-1400m
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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