Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for showery weather to continue for the next few days.
This evening forecast
Chance of showers, 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 the chance of showers.
| 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% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
S
46
|
S
41
|
SW
37
|
SW
38
|
SW
36
|
W
34
|
W
27
|
SW
26
|
| 900m |
S
35
|
SW
32
|
SW
31
|
SW
32
|
SW
30
|
W
29
|
W
22
|
W
21
|
| 600m |
S
38
|
S
32
|
SW
29
|
SW
29
|
SW
27
|
W
25
|
W
19
|
SW
18
|
| 300m |
S
20
|
S
17
|
SW
16
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
SW
9
|
| Glen |
S
12
|
S
13
|
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
SW
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 59 | 52 | 48 | 51 | 47 | 46 | 36 | 34 |
| 900m | 48 | 43 | 42 | 44 | 41 | 40 | 31 | 29 |
| 600m | 49 | 42 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 35 | 28 | 26 |
| 300m | 38 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 20 | 18 |
| Glen | 36 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 22 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
13°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Some bright or sunny periods, although low cloud may be persistent at times across Lochaber and Argyll. Showers will pass through during the day, perhaps briefly heavy with a risk of lightning. Some longer periods of rain may develop across Lochaber and Argyll times too.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
60%, cloud between 600 and 800 across Lochaber and Argyll may be rather persistent, especially at first and again later in the afternoon. Best of the cloud free tops will be across Kintyre and Arran.
Visibility
Very good with great air clarity outside of cloud and showers.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Slow progress can be expected at height in the strong winds, feeling cold as showers pass overhead.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A good deal of low cloud expected with outbreaks of rain through the day. Some brightness with drier conditions expected across Kintyre and Arran though.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
30%, often extensive cloud between 500 and 700 metres.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 35 gust 50 mph, easing later
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 thr 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
Includes Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and the rest of Lochaber, Argyll including the Isles, Loch Lomond, Trossachs and Arran
The South West Highlands is an extensive area of mountains, moorland, islands and sea which is home to several distinctly different cultures. The West Highland Way was Scotland's first long distance route and remains by far the most popular. It stretches for 94 miles from Milngavie on the edge of Glasgow to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis.
The South West Highlands area is very sparsely populated, with many mountain ranges including the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis, standing at 1,344 metres. This mountain is a popular destination 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.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service