Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for dry and fine weather on Saturday. Low for detail for Sunday and Monday with extent of any rainfall.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
Dry with some sunshine.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
S
22
|
S
20
|
S
20
|
S
20
|
S
21
|
S
27
|
| 900m |
S
21
|
S
19
|
S
20
|
S
20
|
S
21
|
S
27
|
| 600m |
S
14
|
S
15
|
S
16
|
S
17
|
S
16
|
S
16
|
| 300m |
S
1
|
S
6
|
S
9
|
S
9
|
S
7
|
S
4
|
| Glen |
SE
5
|
S
7
|
S
11
|
SW
12
|
S
9
|
SE
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 35 |
| 900m | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 34 |
| 600m | 19 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 |
| 300m | 14 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 |
| Glen | 9 | 14 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling quite warm in afternoon sunshine at lower elevations.
Weather
Dry throughout with some spells of sunshine.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90%, little in the way of cloud expected on summits
Visibility
Very good with great air clarity
Mountain weather information
Weather
Low confidence for detail. A cloudy day expected with some occasional light rain, this mostly across the south and west of the area. A little sleet or wet snow possible at first on the highest tops. Cold wind at height.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
50%. Best conditions expected across the east.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 25 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Zero rising to plus 3 Celsius
- Glen Plus 3 rising to 11 Celsius
- Freezing level 800 metres rising above summits
Visibility
Poor in extensive low cloud between 600 and 800 metres, this extensive in across the south and west, but much more broken in the east with a better chance of breaks here. Low confidence in the extent of low cloud.
Mountain weather information
Monday 19 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence for detail but expected to be cloudy with rain at times, perhaps turning more widespread and persistent later.
Tuesday 20 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early cloud, rain and summit snow clearing away then a few wintry showers and some afternoon brightness. Cold northwesterly wind at height.
Wednesday 21 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with some sunshine, the odd wintry shower. Light winds.
Updated at:
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