Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for showery conditions on Saturday and for a dry, bright and occasionally breezy day on Sunday. Lower confidence into next week, particularly around the extent and timing of any rain.
This evening forecast
Showers spreading eastwards this evening, but generally becoming few and far between by midnight. Blustery on highest ground with gusts up to 40mph at first.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Saturday brings an uncertain mix of cloud, sun and showers.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 30% | 30% | 40% | 40% | 50% | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
SW
21
|
SW
21
|
SW
19
|
SW
19
|
SW
17
|
W
20
|
W
16
|
W
14
|
| 900m |
SW
20
|
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
SW
18
|
SW
16
|
W
20
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
| 600m |
SW
13
|
S
13
|
SW
12
|
SW
12
|
SW
12
|
W
14
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
| 300m |
SW
4
|
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
SW
6
|
W
8
|
W
6
|
W
3
|
| Glen |
S
5
|
S
5
|
S
5
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
W
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 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 22 | 18 |
| 900m | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 21 | 17 |
| 600m | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 13 |
| 300m | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 11 |
| Glen | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
2,100m
|
2,100m
|
2,100m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Whilst cloud breaks are expected, be prepared for hill fog to be more extensive than forecast.
Weather
Isolated showers and some clear spells through the early hours. Bright or sunny spells will give way to cloudier conditions and patchy rain arriving from the west through mid-morning, this replaced by scattered and perhaps heavy showers by afternoon. Eastern ranges will be the focus for showers later in the day while the west coast ranges see some drier weather.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% morning, 70% afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud likely to descend to 500-600m through morning, especially along the west coast ranges, whereas Easter Ross ranges seeing only patches above 800m. Cloud lifting and breaking by afternoon but a few patches may linger across highest ground, before descending again through evening. Showers temporarily obscuring nearby slopes.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry throughout with morning cloud gradually lifting to leave most summits cloud free by afternoon. Strong sunshine, although increasingly hazy through late afternoon and evening. Feeling warm when sheltered from the fresh winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% until mid to late morning, then 90%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 20-30mph, gusting 35mph on ridges and summits through the middle of the day.
Temperature
- At 800m 5 Celsius rising to 10-12 Celsius.
- Glen 12 Celsius rising to 18-20 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud likely above 700-900m through morning in the west, otherwise most, if not all, slopes cloud free. Excellent visibility.
Mountain weather information
Mon 29 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A bright start on Monday but cloud will build to bring some patchy rain by afternoon and southerly winds will increase to gale force on highest ground. Cloud descending onto higher slopes too.
Tue 30 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
The forecast is quite uncertain, but most likely quite cloudy with spells of rain, at least in the west. Breezy.
Wed 31 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Lighter winds and a mix of bright or sunny spells and a few spells of rain, but low confidence in details.
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