Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for Thursday. Low for detail from Friday onwards.
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.
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
Mostly cloudy and cold with occasional showers, wintry at height. Brightest along the west coast.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
NW
14
|
N
14
|
N
15
|
N
20
|
N
21
|
N
21
|
| 900m |
NW
14
|
N
14
|
N
15
|
N
19
|
N
21
|
N
19
|
| 600m |
NW
11
|
NE
12
|
N
13
|
N
16
|
N
17
|
N
14
|
| 300m |
NW
5
|
N
5
|
N
6
|
N
10
|
N
9
|
N
5
|
| Glen |
W
1
|
NE
7
|
N
10
|
N
13
|
N
12
|
N
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 17 | 19 | 21 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
| 900m | 17 | 19 | 21 | 27 | 30 | 26 |
| 600m | 14 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 21 |
| 300m | 14 | 16 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 21 |
| Glen | 6 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
-2°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
A few bright or sunny intervals expected through the day especially along the west coast, but often cloudy with some occasional showers too. These will be briefly heavy until early afternoon or so with a chance of hail. Cold enough for some wet snow above 900 metres.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
70%, some patchy cloud above 750 metres especially as showers run through.
Visibility
Outside of cloud and showers very good
Mountain weather information
Weather
Scattered wintry showers expected in the morning, but an area of persistent rain, preceded briefly by higher summit snow, is expected to spread from the North Sea sometime in the afternoon or evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Patchy cloud around 750 metres, although quickly becoming extensive down to 450 metres once rain and snow arrive from the east later.
Maximum wind speed expected
Windy with northerly gales setting in, perhaps reaching speeds of 70 mph on the very highest tops.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 Celsius
- Glen Plus 2 rising to 13 Celsius
- Freezing level 1000 to 1200 metres, rising above summit level later
Visibility
Mostly very good, becoming poor in rain or snow later
Mountain weather information
Saturday 6 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Very windy and overcast with periods of persistent and heavy rain., this easing later in the day. Driest in the southwest.
Sunday 7 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overcast with some patchy light rain in the north, mainly dry in the south. Still windy at height.
Monday 8 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Becoming largely dry but staying cloudy. Lighter winds.
Updated at:
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