Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in conditions becoming increasingly unsettled from Thursday onwards. Some uncertainty on extent of thunderstorm risk later this week.
This evening forecast
Dry and settled with clear periods.
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
Dry with good spells of hazy sunshine. Cloudier west coast in the morning.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 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% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
S
13
|
SE
18
|
SE
22
|
S
25
|
S
22
|
S
20
|
S
17
|
SE
18
|
| 900m |
S
12
|
SE
15
|
SE
18
|
S
21
|
S
21
|
S
19
|
S
15
|
SE
17
|
| 600m |
S
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
9
|
S
15
|
S
18
|
S
16
|
S
11
|
SE
12
|
| 300m |
S
1
|
SE
1
|
SE
1
|
S
2
|
S
6
|
S
6
|
S
3
|
SE
2
|
| Glen |
SE
2
|
SE
2
|
E
3
|
SE
5
|
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
W
3
|
E
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 15 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 22 |
| 900m | 14 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 21 |
| 600m | 10 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 16 |
| 300m | 8 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 12 | 13 |
| Glen | 5 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
17°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
15°
|
17°
|
18°
|
19°
|
16°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
2,600m
|
3,000m
|
2,900m
|
2,600m
|
2,800m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
17°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
17°
|
19°
|
16°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Risk sunburn in strong sunshine despite occasionally hazy or cloudy skies.
Weather
A rather cloudy morning on the west coast but with some sunshine inland. Cloud will thin and break leaving plenty of sunshine for the rest of the day, albeit rather hazy at times. Fresh, perhaps strong winds at height, then strengthening in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% rising to >95% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases 800-1000m on the west coast in the morning, otherwise cloud bases above summits and visibility will be good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Turning rather cloudy through the morning with heavy outbreaks of rain moving northwards, perhaps the odd rumble of thunder too.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% decreasing to 40%
Maximum wind speed expected
Mean speed 30-40mph on upper slopes, gusting 50mph on summits and ridges.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 11 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 15 rising 19 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
A few patches of cloud around summits at first, becoming more extensive through the day with bases down to 800-1000m at times. Visibility will be good at first but falling to a couple of kilometres or worse in outbreaks of heavy rain.
Mountain weather information
Fri 13 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and scattered, heavy and thundery showers pushing north during the day, rain perhaps torrential at times with risk of frequent lightning, hail and gusty winds.
Sat 14 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, occasionally heavy and perhaps thundery at times. Moderate to fresh summit winds.
Sun 15 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with risk of rain, sometimes heavy. Fresh to strong summit winds.
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