Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a very wet spell of weather for the rest of the week, low for any improvement over the weekend.
This evening forecast
Clear intervals and occasional showers, these turning heavier towards midnight over Skye and Wester Ross. Strong westerly winds, patchy hill fog.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with heavy rain affecting most places in the morning and early afternoon then brightening during the afternoon with further more scattered showers.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 90% | 20% | 80% | 90% | 50% | 50% | 30% |
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 |
SW
31
|
SW
34
|
SW
30
|
W
24
|
W
22
|
W
26
|
W
25
|
W
22
|
| 900m |
SW
30
|
SW
31
|
SW
29
|
W
23
|
W
21
|
W
25
|
W
24
|
W
22
|
| 600m |
SW
22
|
SW
20
|
SW
20
|
W
16
|
SW
16
|
W
18
|
W
16
|
SW
14
|
| 300m |
SW
7
|
SW
4
|
SW
5
|
W
6
|
W
7
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
W
5
|
| Glen |
SW
11
|
SW
9
|
SW
7
|
W
8
|
W
8
|
W
13
|
W
9
|
W
5
|
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 | 40 | 42 | 38 | 31 | 30 | 35 | 33 | 30 |
| 900m | 38 | 39 | 37 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 29 |
| 600m | 30 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 22 |
| 300m | 28 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 20 |
| Glen | 24 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 25 | 19 | 13 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Nothing extra
Weather
Showers soon merging into longer spells of heavy rain in the early hours. A drier spell at the end of the night before an area of heavy rain, possibly thundery, spreads northeast in the morning. During the afternoon the heaviest rain will clear south and it will gradually brighten to bring sunny intervals and more occasional showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25%, improving 75% during the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Overcast with cloud widely 500-750m in the spell of heavier rain with some lower patches then becoming more broken from the north later bases lifting 900m. Poor visibility at times in the rain, becoming mainly good later away from any showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloud and occasional rain returning in early hours. The day cloudy with further outbreaks of rain through the day, some on the heavy side. Rain possibly turning light and drizzly in the evening but with extensive poor visibility and lower cloud.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10%
Maximum wind speed expected
South or southwest 30 gusts 45mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 Celsius rising to Plus 8
- Glen Plus 13 Celsius rising to Plus 15
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud at 500-750m lowering to 300-500m later with occasionally poor visibility even away from cloud in drizzly rain.
Mountain weather information
Fri 6 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with hill fog and persistent rain, heavy at times, and southwesterly gales.
Sat 7 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with further rain at times. Less windy.
Sun 8 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Uncertain - still a chance that the rain may linger
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.
The area of Assynt includes some of the most remote and distinguished peaks in Scotland including Suilven, Quinag and Stac Pollaidh which stand tall and castle-like above areas of moorland and lochans. Glen Shiel and Glen Affric are characterised by dramatic steep mountain sides, lofty ridges and a high concentration of Munros (Scottish mountains over 3000 feet), making it a highly popular area for ‘Munro baggers’.
The Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye are among the steepest and most technically challenging mountains in the UK. There are twelve Munros including the Inaccessible Pinnacle which is the only Munro which requires rock climbing to reach its summit. There are two main ranges; the magnificent Black Cuillin (or Cuillin Ridge) and the Red Cuillin (also known as the Red Hills) which are more rounded in nature.
Torridon has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Scotland including the classic trio of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe. The latter also includes Britain's first National Nature Reserve where you may spot golden eagles, crossbills, pine martins and wild cats on your travels.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service