Mountain weather
Mourne Mountains Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible. High for east to southeast flow persisting also for relatively unsettled from Sunday, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Mountain weather forecast
Rather cloudy with occasional rain and summit snow. Gale to storm force summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
70% | 30% | 30% | 60% | 80% | 80% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
E
42
|
E
44
|
E
42
|
E
42
|
E
45
|
E
46
|
| 300m |
E
22
|
E
23
|
E
23
|
E
23
|
E
25
|
E
26
|
| Valley |
E
18
|
E
19
|
E
20
|
E
20
|
E
21
|
E
22
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 58 | 61 | 59 | 59 | 63 | 66 |
| 300m | 39 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 44 | 46 |
| Valley | 38 | 40 | 40 | 39 | 42 | 44 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Conditions becoming potentially hazardous into the afternoon as hill fog, summit snow and storm force winds increase. Severe wind chill effect extending down to mid-levels. Wind speeds above should be 10-15mph higher than the figures stated.
Weather
A cloudy day with occasional outbreaks of rain, above 700-800m snow. Outbreaks turning heavier and more persistent from late afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25%
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases occasionally quite extensive from 500m.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with occasional rain, snow across higher peaks, perhaps some early heavier outbreaks but otherwise relatively light. Severe summit gales at first gradually easing through the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25%
Maximum wind speed expected
East to southeast beginning mean 40-50mph with gusts reaching 65mph across exposed ridges and summits. Winds easing through the day.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 1-2 Celsius
- Valley Plus 5 Celsius increasing 9 Celsius during the afternoon
- Freezing level 800m
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m.
Mountain weather information
Mon 26 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with some patchy rain and summit snow, which turns more persistent during the evening. Freezing level around 700m. Southeast summit winds increasing strong to gale force.
Tue 27 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Patchy snow and rain, turning persistent and heavier from around mid-day. Snow level lowering to around 500m. Summit wind gale to severe gale easterly.
Wed 28 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Unsettled with showers or longer periods of rain and snow, turning heavy at times. Southeast summit gales easing strong later in the day.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Mourne Mountains are a granite mountain range in County Down in the southeast of Northern Ireland, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and has been proposed as the first National Park in Northern Ireland.