Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled weather to continue for the next few days.
This evening forecast
Showers or longer spells of heavy rain, strong southwesterly winds at height.
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.
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.
Storm force winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Wiindy with rain at times.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
90% | 90% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 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 |
SW
42
|
S
37
|
SW
36
|
SW
28
|
W
29
|
W
34
|
W
30
|
W
25
|
| 900m |
SW
40
|
S
36
|
SW
35
|
SW
27
|
W
29
|
W
34
|
W
29
|
W
25
|
| 600m |
SW
31
|
S
28
|
SW
27
|
SW
21
|
W
22
|
W
26
|
W
22
|
W
19
|
| 300m |
SW
12
|
S
12
|
SW
12
|
SW
10
|
W
11
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
| Glen |
S
12
|
S
11
|
S
9
|
SW
9
|
W
11
|
W
12
|
W
9
|
W
7
|
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 | 53 | 47 | 47 | 37 | 39 | 45 | 39 | 34 |
| 900m | 51 | 47 | 46 | 36 | 38 | 45 | 39 | 33 |
| 600m | 41 | 38 | 38 | 30 | 31 | 37 | 32 | 27 |
| 300m | 35 | 32 | 31 | 24 | 30 | 35 | 29 | 23 |
| Glen | 29 | 30 | 27 | 22 | 26 | 32 | 24 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Often cloudy with spells of rain, some of this may be heavy and persistent at times with a small chance of some lightning. Best of the brightness will be across Caithness and Easter Ross.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
40%, a lot of low cloud across the west between 500 and 800 metres, although some thinning possible at times in shelter. Best of the cloud breaks with some sunshine will be across the ranges of Caithness, Easter Ross and around the Great Glen.
Visibility
Very good with great air clarity outside of cloud and rain.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Slow progress can be expected at height in the strong winds, feeling cold as showers pass overhead. However much lighter winds are expected across Caithness and Sutherland, although strengthening here from mid-afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A good deal of low cloud expected with outbreaks of rain through the day. Some brightness with drier spreading southeast from late afternoon onwards
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
20%, extensive cloud between 500 and 700 metres.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 25 gust 35 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 8 Celsius
- Glen Plus 10 rising to 16 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Visibility
Very good with great air clarity outside of cloud and showers.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 20 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright with the chance of showers, less windy than of late.
Wednesday 21 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with the chance of some showers, some reasonable spells of dry weather expected too. Persistent rain expected later in the day.
Thursday 22 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with the chance of some rain for a time. Windy.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Separated from the Grampians by the Great Glen the region includes Sutherland, Ben Wyvis, Wester Ross, The Cuillin, Glen Affric, Glen Shiel and Knoydart.
The Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye are among the steepest mountains in the UK and include 15 peaks above 3,000 feet (900 metres). There are two main ridges; the magnificent Black Cuillins and the Red Cuillins around Loch Coruisk to the south.
Torridon has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Scotland which includes Beinn Eighe, a long ridge with many spurs and summits, two of which are classified as Munros. Beinne Eighe also includes Britain's first ever national nature reserve where you may spot golden eagles, buzzards, pine martins and wild cats on your travels.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service