Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for most aspects on Sunday, but moderate for strength of winds. High for Monday. Low confidence from Tuesday afternoon.
This evening forecast
A cloudy start to the evening with low cloud and some patchy drizzle. Persistent heavy rain soon spreads across all ranges. Light south or southwest winds, freshening at height around dusk.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Cold with heavy showers and thunder. Summit gales across southern ranges.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
>95% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 70% |
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 |
NE
12
|
NW
13
|
SW
21
|
SW
25
|
SW
25
|
W
21
|
W
21
|
W
21
|
| 900m |
E
9
|
NW
8
|
W
15
|
W
18
|
W
20
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
W
16
|
| 600m |
NE
8
|
SE
9
|
SW
16
|
SW
19
|
SW
22
|
SW
17
|
W
17
|
W
15
|
| 300m |
NE
5
|
NW
6
|
SW
10
|
SW
11
|
SW
14
|
SW
11
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
| Glen |
E
3
|
NW
4
|
W
9
|
W
10
|
W
13
|
W
12
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
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 | 18 | 18 | 30 | 37 | 40 | 33 | 33 | 30 |
| 900m | 14 | 13 | 24 | 30 | 34 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
| 600m | 14 | 13 | 24 | 30 | 35 | 28 | 28 | 24 |
| 300m | 13 | 12 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 18 |
| Glen | 10 | 10 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,200m
|
2,000m
|
1,700m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
1°
|
0°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Winds likely to be 15-20 mph stronger than in the table across Arran and southern most peaks of Argyll and the Trossachs. Feeling unseasonably cold and windy.
Weather
Persistent, often heavy rain overnight turns more showery by dawn. Some bright spells through the day but frequent heavy showers with hail and thunder likely. A spell of more persistent rain is likely around dusk. Further showers overnight. Feeling cold for the time of year.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Nil to start with extensive cloud down to around 500m. 40% from mid to late morning with occasional cloud breaks between showers. Falling to 10% or less late evening as cloud turns extensive above 500-600m.
Visibility
Poor to start and end the day. Otherwise highly variable. Good between showers, but rapidly deteriorating to poor as heavy showers come through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with occasional rain or showers overnight. A few isolated showers continuing through the morning, but mainly a dry bright day with some sunny spells. Thickening cloud will bring some patchy rain in to the west late evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90% through the day with any early morning cloud soon lifting off the tops. Cloud lowering to around 600-700m around dusk.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 30-35 mph, easing to 20-25 mph through the morning. Becoming West, then increasing to 30-35 mph late evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 or 8 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 9 Celsius rising to 15 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Visibility
Very good.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 7 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A few showers and some bright perhaps sunny spells. Fresh westerly winds across the summits to start, but soon easing. Light winds later in the day. Remaining cool for the time of year.
Wednesday 8 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Most likely dry and bright, with the odd light shower possible. However, a slight chance that rain could spread up from the south, this considered unlikely at this stage. Light variable winds.
Thursday 9 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright to start. Cloud will build leading to a few showers, perhaps some heavier rain later. Winds light.
Updated at:
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