Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence through the period.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry to start but patchy light rain later.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 50% | 60% | 30% | 20% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
W
32
|
SW
22
|
SW
35
|
SW
37
|
SW
34
|
SW
35
|
| 900m |
W
30
|
SW
20
|
SW
32
|
SW
35
|
SW
33
|
SW
34
|
| 600m |
W
21
|
SW
14
|
SW
18
|
SW
23
|
SW
22
|
SW
24
|
| 300m |
W
3
|
W
1
|
SW
2
|
SW
7
|
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
| Glen |
W
10
|
SW
2
|
W
5
|
SW
10
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 38 | 27 | 43 | 45 | 43 | 45 |
| 900m | 36 | 25 | 39 | 43 | 43 | 44 |
| 600m | 26 | 18 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 34 |
| 300m | 27 | 17 | 23 | 33 | 32 | 34 |
| Glen | 20 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 26 | 29 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
0°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
900m
|
1,800m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-11°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-10°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling very cold at height despite the milder temperatures in the glens, with very strong winds at first. Due to a technical error the wind/temperature details can currently only be viewed in the printable pdf version of this forecast.
Weather
A mainly dry start, aside from the odd shower in the far north during the early hours. Increasing amounts of low cloud push up from the southwest by mid-morning, accompanied by patchy light rain or drizzle. This clearing to the northeast by late afternoon/evening to allow some sunny or clear breaks.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% at first, decreasing to 20% by late morning, increasing to 60% by evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Good at first but extensive low cloud leading to hill fog by late morning, cloud breaking up during the afternoon, leaving scattered low cloud and isolated hill fog.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Patchy low cloud at first, increasing by mid-morning, with outbreaks of rain following behind. Potential for some sleet and snow on the back edge of the front. This clearing around mid-afternoon to sunny spells and scattered wintry showers. Showers easing into the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% at first, decreasing to 20% by mid-morning, 80% by late afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 20-25 mph gusting 40-45 mph becoming westerly and decreasing later.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 falling to minus 3 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 8 falling to plus 3 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1400m falling to 600m into the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered low cloud leading to hill fog at first, becoming extensive on the front. Isolated low cloud and moderate or poor visibility in showers.
Mountain weather information
Sun 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with good sunny spells for most of the day, low cloud from the west later in the evening. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level 600-800m, rising during the evening.
Mon 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud with the odd spot of rain at first, breaking up through the afternoon. Further cloud and rain late evening. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1500m.
Tue 7 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overnight rain clearing to sunshine and a few showers. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level around 800m.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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