Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

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Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for changeable and often wet weather over the coming days. The greatest uncertainty relates to the timing of the individual areas of rain. Good confidence for colder conditions next week.

This evening forecast

Sunrise:
Sunset:

A few scattered showers may linger along the west coast ranges this evening, otherwise dry with varying cloud cover. Areas of hill fog likely above 600m in the west. Moderate to fresh southerly winds.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Rain developing across most parts. Driest in the west. Mainly light winds.

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level

Altitude above mean sea level

Altitude above mean sea level

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

There is uncertainty in the extent of rainfall, but western parts look set to escape the worst of this. Feeling cold across highest ground, even considering the limited strength in the wind.

Weather

A few passing showers likely through the early hours, these perhaps most likely along the west coast. The morning will then be largely dry, bright or sunny but cloud will thicken from the south to bring a wet afternoon across the hills, although some of the west coast may stay dry throughout. Some heavier spells may develop in the east later. Clearer, drier into the evening.

Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m

70% falling 40% through afternoon.

Visibility

Any morning showers are unlikely to reduce visibility substantially. A few areas of cloud are likely above around 600m through morning, mainly along the west coast. This will become more extensive through afternoon as rain arrives, and may descend towards 400m in the east. Heavier rain will turn lower slopes hazy. West is best.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Dry through the early hours but rain will quickly spread northwards to affect all ranges and some heavier spells are possible within this. Improving conditions by afternoon as this cloud and rain clears north leaving sunshine and scattered showers. Increasingly dry through evening.

Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m

20% morning, improving 70%.

Maximum wind speed expected

South 20-30mph.

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 1 or 2 Celsius.
  • Glen Plus 8-10 Celsius.
  • Freezing level 1200-1400m.

Visibility

Very little low cloud initially, but cloud will quickly become extensive above around 500-600m for all ranges as rain arrives and brings tricky navigation conditions. This will lift and break, leaving only occasional patches above 600m thereafter, these often associated with passing showers. Visibility falling to a few kilometers on lower slopes during rain and showers.

Mountain weather information

Sunday 31 October

Sunrise:
Sunset:

A bright, chilly start will give way to a band of heavy rain spreading northwards, this in conjunction with strong, perhaps gale force easterly winds.

Monday 1 November

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Temperatures will trend downwards with rain or showers through morning turning increasingly to sleet and snow above munro level. Strong northwest winds. Feeling cold.

Tuesday 2 November

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Continuing cold conditions with further shower and some brighter spells. Sleet or snow confined to higher slopes.

Updated at:
Mountain weather explained

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

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