Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for windy conditions developing during Sunday with rain for a time. Then for cold, showery, windy weather on Monday and Tuesday.
This evening forecast
Mainly dry this evening long clear periods. Westerly winds freshening on the tops.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly cloudy. Rain for a time in the afternoon. Becoming windy.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 40% | 80% | 40% | 40% |
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 |
W
17
|
W
21
|
W
24
|
SW
32
|
SW
40
|
SW
44
|
W
41
|
W
35
|
| 900m |
W
17
|
W
21
|
W
23
|
SW
31
|
SW
38
|
SW
41
|
W
39
|
W
33
|
| 600m |
SW
10
|
W
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
21
|
SW
28
|
SW
29
|
W
27
|
W
22
|
| 300m |
W
3
|
W
4
|
W
5
|
SW
8
|
SW
11
|
SW
9
|
W
12
|
W
9
|
| Glen |
S
2
|
W
4
|
SW
7
|
SW
11
|
SW
16
|
SW
15
|
W
19
|
W
16
|
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 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 40 | 53 | 58 | 56 | 46 |
| 900m | 22 | 27 | 29 | 39 | 51 | 54 | 53 | 44 |
| 600m | 15 | 19 | 21 | 30 | 40 | 42 | 42 | 33 |
| 300m | 15 | 17 | 20 | 29 | 39 | 39 | 42 | 34 |
| Glen | 7 | 12 | 16 | 23 | 31 | 33 | 37 | 32 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
2,400m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
1,800m
|
2,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Walking conditions will become difficult by the afternoon. Feeling cold with gales developing then rain for a time.
Weather
Mainly dry and becoming rather cloudy overnight and on Sunday morning. A band of rain will spread southeastwards across all ranges in the afternoon, heavy for a short time and accompanied by westerly gales. Clearer, showery weather following by evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% although 30% for a time in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Good visibility during morning with occasional cloud cover about 700m, the main canopy of cloud mostly above the tops. Clouds will become extensive for a time in afternoon around 600 to 700m with poorer visibility as rain moves through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cold and windy day in the hills with blustery showers, mostly over north Highlands, wintry above about 900m. Driest, brightest weather will be over Knoydart and hills towards Great Glen.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, best in south of area.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly winds with average speeds of 30 to 40mph with gusts 50 to 60mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 Celsius.
- Glen 4 Celsius rising to 12 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1000m.
Low cloud and visibility
Away from showers the visibility will be very good with occasional cloud cover about 700m. Clouds will become extensive as showers come along, especially over north Highlands with briefly poor visibility.
Mountain weather information
Tue 27 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and further showers, wintry on the tops. Staying cold with northwesterly gales across the summits.
Wed 28 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and still some showers. Lighter northwest winds on the tops with the freezing level lifting above the summits.
Thu 29 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and bright with light winds at all levels. Rain and strengthening winds moving in from the Atlantic late in the day.
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