Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a good deal of dry weather but low for shower and cloud detail
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
Mostly dry and bright with some hazy sunshine at times. Small risk of a shower, increasing in the evening.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SE
15
|
SE
13
|
S
19
|
S
19
|
S
16
|
S
20
|
| 900m |
S
10
|
S
10
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
13
|
| 600m |
E
9
|
E
7
|
E
9
|
SE
8
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
| 300m |
E
3
|
NE
4
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
7
|
| Glen |
E
3
|
E
2
|
S
4
|
S
5
|
SW
4
|
SW
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 17 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 |
| 900m | 13 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
| 600m | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 16 |
| 300m | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Glen | 6 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
12°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
2,200m
|
2,300m
|
2,300m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
11°
|
14°
|
13°
|
13°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Mostly dry with some bright or hazy sunny spells but also quite a lot of higher based cloud. This may bring a few showers, mainly in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
80% or more with most cloud above the tops, perhaps the odd patch over the Trossachs in the morning and then in Lochaber in the evening, mainly above 900m
Visibility
Good, but moderate in showers in the evening.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Nothing to add
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloud lowering overnight with outbreaks of rain and drizzle becoming more widespread. A dull misty start to the day with extensive hill fog and drizzle, then brightening up from late morning with cloud lifting and breaking to allow some sunshine. This turning hazy later then some lower cloud and patchy rain reaching the west coast by evening will extend inland. Perhaps turning to light snow on the summits.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Little chance until late morning then improving 70% in the afternoon and falling 30% in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 20-25 gusts 35mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 8 Celsius falling to Plus 4 from mid evening
- Glen Falling to Plus 9 Celsius by dawn then lifting to around 12 Celsius in the afternoon, dropping Plus 7 late evening
- Freezing level Above the summits, falling to 1200m from mid evening
Visibility
Poor in morning drizzle then mainly good, dropping again in evening rain.
Mountain weather information
Sunday 12 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another mixed day with some brighter spells and the odd cloudier showery period. Freezing levels 1000m rising above summits, then dropping to 900m during the evening as strong northeasterly winds set in.
Monday 13 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Any early cloud breaking then dry with some sunny spells. Freezing level around 800m with fresh northeasterly winds in the morning bringing a significant wind chill, before easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday 14 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with clear or sunny spells and light winds. Freezing level 900m.
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