Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for mainly fair for Tuesday and Wednesday, then for a series of rainbands crossing from the west, but detail of worst of conditions gradually lowering through the outlook period.
This evening forecast
Largely dry with clear spells, light winds and a freezing level above all summits.
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
Most staying dry with brighter spells. Moderate southwesterly summit breezes. Freezing level above all summits.
| 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% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <05% | <05% | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
W
9
|
W
10
|
W
10
|
W
11
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
15
|
SW
15
|
| 900m |
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
10
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
15
|
SW
15
|
| 600m |
W
5
|
W
5
|
W
6
|
W
8
|
W
11
|
W
12
|
W
12
|
SW
10
|
| 300m |
NW
2
|
W
2
|
W
3
|
W
5
|
W
7
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
SW
4
|
| Glen |
W
1
|
S
1
|
SW
4
|
W
7
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
SW
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| 900m | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
| 600m | 6 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 |
| 300m | 6 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 12 |
| Glen | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
16°
|
15°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,700m
|
2,700m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Nothing to add
Weather
A dry day for the vast majority with good bright and sunny spells developing. The few scattered showers that do appear are likely to be confined to peaks north of Suilven and across the Cuillin Hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% for north of Suilven and across the Cuillin Hills, otherwise 80-90%.
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate in showers and very poor within cloud with bases lowering 600m at times, mainly north of Suilven and across the Cuillin Hills.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A few, generally light, scattered showers mixed between brighter spells. Freshening west to southwest summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
West to southwest increasing mean 20-25 mph from mid-day, with gusts reaching 35-40 mph around for most exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 8-10 Celsius
- Glen Plus 9 Celsius increasing 18 Celsius during the afternoon
- Freezing level Above all summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate in showers and very poor within cloud with bases infrequently lowering to 600m, chiefly as showers push through.
Mountain weather information
Thu 18 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with occasional rain, this tending to turn heavier and more persistent later in the day, particularly across western ranges. Fresh to strong south to southwest summit winds. Freezing level above all peaks.
Fri 19 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mixed with areas of rain crossing from the west, interspersed by dry and occasionally bright interludes. Fresh southwest summit winds. Freezing level above all peaks.
Sat 20 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mixed again, but likely to have longer periods of drier and brighter fare compared to Friday. Moderate southwest summit winds. Freezing level above all peaks.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Separated from the Grampians by the Great Glen the weather forecast area includes Wester Ross, Assynt, Sutherland, Knoydart, Torridon, Glen Affric and the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service