Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the limited showers at first, then the weakening front crossing late Wednesday, also for some showers from Thursday, then low for any detail on Saturday.
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.
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
Rather cloudy and mainly dry.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
N
18
|
N
14
|
N
12
|
N
14
|
N
16
|
N
20
|
| 300m |
N
11
|
N
10
|
N
8
|
N
11
|
N
11
|
N
9
|
| Valley |
N
11
|
N
10
|
N
8
|
N
10
|
N
10
|
N
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 26 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 31 |
| 300m | 20 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Valley | 19 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
6°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
900m
|
800m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
2°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
3°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy and mainly dry with only a few isolated light showers cropping up, these mainly through the afternoon and early evening with a snow level around 800m.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 700m
85% for any given time with bases generally above summits, lowering 700m in showers.
Visibility
Good briefly falling moderate or poor in showers.
Meteorologist's view
Some chance of relatively strong afternoon sunshine briefly breaking through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Limited brighter spells mixed with isolated showers through the day. Some patchy, light rain and summit snow spreading from the north for the evening, which clears to the south overnight with the snow level lowering on the back edge.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 700m
80% lowering 40% during the evening as bases become quite extensive from 500-800m.
Maximum wind speed expected
West or Northwest mean 15-20mph with gusts 30mph across most exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 700m Zero to 3C
- Valley Plus 3C rising 10C during the afternoon
- Freezing level 700-900m
Visibility
Good lowering moderate or poor in showers, and later rain and summit snow.
Mountain weather information
Thursday 2 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered showers turning heavier, more frequent and to wet snow across highest peak later.
Friday 3 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers, occasional at first, dwindling through the day.
Saturday 4 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy but mostly dry. Freshening winds and lifting freezing level.
Updated at:
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