Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Low confidence for extent of any early low cloud on Sunday. High for unsettled weather to develop from Monday onwards, but low for extent of any showers as well as any low cloud.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy start across some ranges, otherwise dry, bright and very warm
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
S
4
|
NW
5
|
W
7
|
NW
9
|
NW
6
|
E
4
|
| 900m |
NW
2
|
N
3
|
NW
5
|
NW
7
|
N
4
|
E
5
|
| 600m |
NW
3
|
NW
3
|
W
6
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
N
4
|
| 300m |
SW
2
|
W
3
|
W
5
|
W
6
|
W
5
|
W
4
|
| Glen |
S
2
|
S
3
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
4
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 6 |
| 900m | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| 600m | 3 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 7 |
| 300m | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
| Glen | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
12°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 900m |
14°
|
15°
|
16°
|
18°
|
17°
|
14°
|
| 600m |
15°
|
15°
|
18°
|
20°
|
19°
|
17°
|
| 300m |
16°
|
17°
|
20°
|
22°
|
21°
|
19°
|
| Glen |
17°
|
20°
|
22°
|
24°
|
22°
|
19°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,700m
|
2,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
12°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| 900m |
14°
|
15°
|
16°
|
17°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 600m |
15°
|
16°
|
17°
|
18°
|
18°
|
17°
|
| 300m |
17°
|
18°
|
20°
|
21°
|
21°
|
19°
|
| Glen |
18°
|
21°
|
22°
|
24°
|
22°
|
19°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Be prepared for sunburn and dehydration on long hikes, becoming hot by afternoon.
Weather
Overnight low cloud across the Trossachs and eastern Argyll dispersing through the morning to leave all ranges dry with a good deal of sunshine.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
80%
Visibility
Poor in low cloud at first down to 400 metres in the east, this dissipating during the morning with summits clear by afternoon with good visibility
Mountain weather information
Weather
Overnight low cloud in the east mostly dissipating in the morning. Then most ranges dry, sunny and very warm although a few slow moving downpours may develop across the Trossachs and eastern Argyll in the afternoon and evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
70%
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 10 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 10 rising to 16 Celsius
- Glen Plus 11 rising to a very warm 24 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Visibility
Poor in morning low cloud down to 400 metres in the east at first. Otherwise becoming good elsewhere with afternoon cloud confined to higher tops in the east.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 27 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry, bright start. Then clouding over through the day with some heavy showers or longer spells of rain developing in places through the afternoon and evening. Light winds.
Wednesday 28 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy start with some heavy showers or longer spells of rain, then likely to turn drier and brighter from the south.
Thursday 29 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying unsettled with the chance of showers.
Updated at:
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Including Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and the rest of Lochaber, Argyll including the Isles, Loch Lomond, Trossachs and Arran
The Southwest Highlands weather forecast area is an extensive area of mountains, moorland, islands and sea lochs. The area has a high density of steep and rugged Munros (Scottish mountains over 3000 feet) including the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis (1,344 metres), attracting an estimated 100,000 ascents a year. The 700 metre cliffs of the north face are among the highest in the UK, providing classic scrambles and rock climbs of all difficulties for climbers and mountaineers. Glen Coe is also an iconic area for rock climbing and scrambling and includes the Aonach Eagach, an exposed and narrow ridge which stands 900m above the floor of the glen below.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park was the first of the two national parks in Scotland and includes Ben Lomond which is the most southerly Munro. Running past the foot of Ben Lomond is The West Highland Way which is Scotland's first long distance walking route. It stretches for 96 miles from Milngavie on the edge of Glasgow to Fort William.
The Isle of Arran is in the far south of the area, often referred to as Scotland in miniature, it includes Goat Fell with its fine panoramic views and the Glen Rosa horseshoe with sections of rock scrambling.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service