Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a wet and windy spell on Saturday and for a return to showery conditions thereafter. Some uncertainty in the details of cloud cover from later Saturday.
This evening forecast
Dry with late sunshine then clear spells. Strengthening southeasterly winds.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Storm force winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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
Heavy rain and strong winds clearing by afternoon.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
00% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 50% | 20% | 10% | <05% |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
22
|
SE
32
|
E
38
|
SE
39
|
S
16
|
S
14
|
S
14
|
S
22
|
| 300m |
SE
12
|
SE
19
|
E
24
|
E
24
|
S
9
|
S
9
|
SE
6
|
S
10
|
| Valley |
SE
11
|
SE
17
|
E
21
|
SE
22
|
S
7
|
S
8
|
SE
5
|
S
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 32 | 46 | 55 | 56 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 31 |
| 300m | 23 | 34 | 41 | 41 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 20 |
| Valley | 23 | 32 | 40 | 40 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
7°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
8°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
9°
|
13°
|
12°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
800m
|
1,200m
|
2,600m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
3°
|
6°
|
5°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
6°
|
10°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
8°
|
11°
|
11°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds likely peaking closer to 70mph on summits through morning.
Weather
Persistent and heavy rain will spread northeast through morning, brought in on widely gale force winds. Rain will turn lighter through morning and cloud will lift off the hills through afternoon allowing some bright or sunny spells. Dry and increasingly clear through evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 700m
No chance during morning, improving 80% through afternoon.
Visibility
Widely very poor through morning during heavy rain and within low cloud which will be extensive above 300-400m. Improving significantly through afternoon as this cloud lifts and breaks.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Another windy day as southerly gales dominate, these bringing scattered and increasingly heavy showers through the day. Some brightness is expected in between these, however. A drier evening looks likely.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 700m
50%
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 35-45 gusting up to 60mph.
Temperature
- At 700m 6C.
- Valley 7-9C rising 12C.
- Freezing level Well above summits.
Visibility
Cloud will often be below summits, perhaps down to 400m at times during showers, but some breaks are also expected.
Mountain weather information
Monday 10 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers, some on the heavy side with a risk of thunder. Southerly winds remaining fresh to strong.
Tuesday 11 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further sunshine and scattered showers. Lighter southerly winds, but still breezy on the summits.
Wednesday 12 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A bright day with showers developing through afternoon. Light to moderate winds.
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