Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for changeable conditions next few days, lower for timing and intensity of rain bands
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.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
A very mixed day with bands of rain and some drier brighter spells, Windy with summit gales possible.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
40% | 70% | 20% | 60% | 80% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
20
|
S
25
|
SW
27
|
SW
29
|
S
23
|
NW
23
|
| 300m |
SW
5
|
SE
10
|
SW
14
|
SW
12
|
S
12
|
NW
13
|
| Valley |
S
2
|
SE
8
|
SW
12
|
SW
10
|
S
10
|
NW
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 29 | 35 | 38 | 40 | 33 | 32 |
| 300m | 14 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
| Valley | 13 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds may reach gusts of around 50 mph across summits around middle of the day.
Weather
Heavy rain, perhaps sleet on the tops clearing by late morning with sunny spells for a time. A chance of isolated heavy showers early afternoon. More persistent often heavy rain towards dusk. Turning dry late evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% from dawn improving 80% by midday then falling 20% by dusk.
Low cloud and visibility
Spells of low cloud and poor visibility accompanying the rainy spells in the morning and evening, with cloud down to 450-600m, but at other times, low cloud breaking up with good visibility for a few hours in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A few showers in early hours, dying out. The day dry and bright with some sunny spells. Clouding over after dark with some heavy rain developing by mid evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% early hours improving 90% during the day, falling 20% in the evening rain.
Maximum wind speed expected
West 30 gusts 40mph in early hours then easing 15 gusts 25mph by daybreak. Winds becoming southeasterly in evening.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 3 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 5 rising to Plus 8 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud at 600m at first this dispersing to bring good visibility through daylight hours. Then low cloud at 450-600m and poor visibility developing in evening rain.
Mountain weather information
Tue 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional rain, hill fog and strengthening northeasterly winds.
Wed 13 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright with sunny spells, freezing level dropping to 750m.
Thu 14 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some overnight rain, then the day bright with sunny intervals and the odd light shower. Freezing levels above tops.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Mourne Mountains are a granite mountain range in County Down in the southeast of Northern Ireland, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and has been proposed as the first National Park in Northern Ireland.
The Mourne Mountains include the highest mountains in Northern Ireland; the highest of these is Slieve Donard standing at 850 metres at the northeastern edge of the Mournes, overlooking Newcastle and Dundrum Bay. At the summit of Slieve Donard there is a cairn and a small stone tower, which is part of the Mourne Wall, which passes over the mountain’s southern and western shoulders.
The Mourne Wall is a 35 kilometre dry stone wall that crosses fifteen summits, constructed between 1904 and 1922 by the Belfast Water Commissioners to define and enclose the catchment area for the newly constructed Silent Valley Reservoir.v