Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for plenty of bright or sunny weather over the coming days, albeit with a cold and increasingly strong northerly wind. Confidence falls from Sunday with an increasing chance of rain.
This evening forecast
Clear skies, light winds and good visibility this evening.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry, largely sunny and a chilly northeast breeze.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 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% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
11
|
NE
16
|
NE
17
|
NE
16
|
NE
16
|
NE
18
|
| 900m |
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
11
|
E
14
|
NE
14
|
NE
14
|
NE
12
|
NE
12
|
| 600m |
E
6
|
E
7
|
NE
10
|
NE
13
|
NE
14
|
NE
14
|
NE
13
|
NE
12
|
| 300m |
NE
3
|
N
4
|
NE
4
|
N
5
|
NE
10
|
NE
11
|
NE
8
|
N
5
|
| Glen |
E
4
|
NE
3
|
NE
5
|
NE
7
|
NE
7
|
NE
9
|
NE
6
|
N
3
|
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 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 |
| 900m | 11 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 18 |
| 600m | 8 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 16 |
| 300m | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 19 | 13 | 9 |
| Glen | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 8 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
8°
|
12°
|
12°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
4°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
7°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
A chilly breeze at height. Glen temperatures closer to zero early morning.
Weather
A chilly start with a patchy inland frost and the odd fog patch in sheltered glens. Dry with unbroken sunshine turning to sunny spells, but the west coast seeing the most prolonged sunshine. Remaining dry with clearing skies through evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90% with very little low cloud, perhaps a few patches above 800m across The Trossachs later in the day.
Visibility
Excellent.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cold and increasingly windy day. Strengthening northerly or northwest winds will bring a few well scattered showers with sunny spells between. Showers mostly affecting Lochaber and they will turn wintry above around 700m.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
80%. Low cloud limited to passing showers and above around 800-900m.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 25-30mph gusting up to 50mph in passing showers.
Temperature
- At 800m Around freezing.
- Glen 2-4C rising 10C.
- Freezing level 1200m falling 800m.
Visibility
Excellent away from wintry showers, but falling to a few hundred metres within these.
Mountain weather information
Saturday 26 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers fading through the early hours then a dry, bright and often sunny day with strong northerly winds gradually easing. Remaining cold.
Sunday 27 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another dry but with increasing cloud cover. Light to moderate winds.
Monday 28 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Uncertain at this stage but most likely a milder southwest wind bringing cloud and some rain.
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