Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the theme for an unsettled week for Scotland, from Tuesday turning very showery and low confidence for the timing of showers. There is a signal for some heavy thundery showers later on Wednesday and Thursday.
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.
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
Sunny spells developing. Scattered showers but moving through quite quickly.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SW
26
|
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
SW
18
|
SW
21
|
S
22
|
| 900m |
SW
25
|
SW
16
|
SW
16
|
SW
18
|
SW
21
|
S
21
|
| 600m |
SW
18
|
SW
13
|
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
17
|
S
15
|
| 300m |
SW
7
|
SW
6
|
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
SW
7
|
S
4
|
| Glen |
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
S
11
|
SW
11
|
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 | 30 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 29 |
| 900m | 30 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 27 |
| 600m | 23 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 21 |
| 300m | 24 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 19 |
| Glen | 17 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,400m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Although quite showery there will be some brightness around and less windy than the weekend.
Weather
Sunny spells developing with scattered showers. The showers will be mainly light and move through quite quickly, then dying out this afternoon with more sunshine. Clouding over later this evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% most cloud above the summits but perhaps some patches or scattered shrouding the tops at times.
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered low cloud around 700m at times. Visibility will be good but will dip moderate at times in showers.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry but cloudy overnight, some showery rain spreading across western ranges by morning. Outbreaks of rain and strong southerly winds are likely for most places, hills further north towards Assynt and the Fisherfields may remain dry or at least have some breaks in the rain during the day. The wettest areas will be those exposed to the southerly flow towards Skye and Knoydart.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, low cloud will be most prevalent in the south with some more northern tops seeing very little cloud.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 25mph with gusts 35-40mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 rising to 9 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 12 rising to 16 Celsius, perhaps reaching 18 or 19 Celsius for the far north around Altnaharra.
- Freezing level Above all summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Broken cloud above 600m is likely for the Cuillin and Knoydart, further north and east towards the Assynt and Glen Affric will only see patches of lower cloud around 700m. Visibility will be poor in rain which may be heavy anywhere exposed to the south but will mainly be light further north and east and visibility will be moderate or good here.
Mountain weather information
Wed 29 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry and bright start but further gusty winds and showers are expected, winds will fall lighter later in the day.
Thu 30 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Light winds and the chance of some heavy showers or thunderstorms developing later.
Fri 1 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers likely, southwesterly winds.
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