Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a mix of sunshine and showers through the coming week.
This evening forecast
Heavy afternoon showers soon dying out leaving some late sunny then clear spells. Strong southwesterly winds.
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.
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.
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
Sunny spells with occasionally heavy showers developing. Strong southwesterly winds.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | <05% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 40% | 30% | 10% |
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
36
|
S
35
|
S
41
|
SW
33
|
SW
35
|
SW
30
|
SW
25
|
S
24
|
| 900m |
SW
25
|
S
25
|
S
28
|
SW
25
|
SW
27
|
SW
24
|
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
| 600m |
S
27
|
S
29
|
S
33
|
SW
27
|
SW
29
|
SW
24
|
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
| 300m |
S
14
|
S
13
|
S
16
|
SW
15
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
SW
11
|
S
9
|
| Glen |
SW
8
|
S
9
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
13
|
SW
11
|
SW
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 | 44 | 43 | 51 | 42 | 46 | 39 | 32 | 31 |
| 900m | 32 | 33 | 38 | 33 | 36 | 32 | 26 | 25 |
| 600m | 34 | 37 | 41 | 35 | 39 | 32 | 26 | 26 |
| 300m | 23 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 18 |
| Glen | 23 | 22 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 20 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Mainly dry with clear spells but cloud increasing bringing outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain to Lochaber and northern Argyll soon after dawn. The Trosscahs and southern Argyll start dry but rain across Lochaber and northern Argyll turns more showery as it spreads east with sunny spells developing. The showers become perhaps heavy at times during the afternoon. Becoming mainly dry again away from western coastal ranges during the evening with some late sunshine.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Around 40% at first with occasional or periods above 450m , although close to 100% in the east with only small amounts of cloud below the summits. Chances gradually become around 75% through the morning as cloud becomes occasional above about 600m, with cloud largely lifting above the summits during the afternoon.
Visibility
Very good or excellent with good panoramic views of surrounding mountains and glens, but several kilometres in early rain and in heavier showers.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Significant chill across Munros through much of the day.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Showers continue to affect western coastal ranges overnight while the east remains mainly dry with long clear spells through the early hours. Then another bright day with sunny spells and showers developing more widely, the showers expected to be lighter and more scattered than recent days. Becoming largely dry through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Around 60% over western coastal ranges with occasional or periods of cloud above 600m, but closer to 100% at first in the elsewhere, becoming around 75%, for a time from late morning to early afternoon, as occasional cloud above 600m develops, this gradually lifting above the summits through the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 25mph, gusts around 40mph over ridges and summits, decreasing 15-20mph by early afternoon.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 Celsius rising to plus 10 Celsius.
- Glen Around plus 6 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 17 Celsius by day.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Visibility
Very good, falling briefly to several kilometres in showers
Mountain weather information
Thursday 20 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A showery day with sunny spells and occasionally heavy and perhaps thundery showers. Occasionally fresh southwesterly winds.
Friday 21 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another day of sunny spells and occasionally heavy, perhaps thundery, showers. Occasionally fresh southwesterly breeze.
Saturday 22 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and occasionally heavy showers. Mainly light winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for Southwest HighlandsIncludes 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