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. Confidence is high for storm force winds for the Mourne Mountains on Tuesday with outbreaks of sleet likely. Drier on Wednesday but remaining cold with strong winds at times.
This evening forecast
Outbreaks of precipitation (wintry above 700m) through the evening accompanied by strong winds, gales likely at height. Very cold with a significant windchill expected.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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
Wintry conditions, a period of persistent rain or sleet is expected accompanied by storm force winds easing to gales during the morning, bitterly cold with very poor visibility likely.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 700m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 700m) |
80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 60% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
43
|
E
52
|
E
57
|
SE
56
|
SE
50
|
SE
54
|
SE
44
|
S
41
|
| 300m |
E
22
|
E
28
|
E
31
|
SE
31
|
SE
28
|
SE
30
|
SE
24
|
S
23
|
| Valley |
E
19
|
E
23
|
E
26
|
SE
27
|
SE
24
|
SE
26
|
SE
20
|
S
19
|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 60 | 74 | 80 | 78 | 70 | 75 | 61 | 56 |
| 300m | 40 | 50 | 56 | 54 | 49 | 53 | 42 | 39 |
| Valley | 38 | 48 | 53 | 52 | 47 | 52 | 40 | 37 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
800m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-7°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-7°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A bitterly cold day with storm force winds easing to severe gales later in the days, making walking almost impossible at height. Localised flooding and watercourses flooding may make some routes impassable.
Weather
Heavy and persistent rain or sleet during the night will continue during the day, freezing level will be above summits but lowering to 800m. Snow is possible on the summits with some accumulations possible, best to prepare for full winter conditions. Blizzards are possible on the highest tops and periods of poor visibility likely. Precipitation will ease a little in the afternoon with some dry spells possible and winds beginning to ease but making headway will be tricky on the hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Almost zero, overcast cloud to low levels will accompany heavy rain.
Low cloud and visibility
Overcast cloud layers above 2-300m expected with very poor visibility in heavy rain and sleet. Visibility may become zero in any blizzards which may be very disorientating. Good navigation methods will be required in the poor conditions.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy at first on Wednesday but mostly dry with some bright or sunny spells developing during the morning. Feeling very cold in fresh or strong southeasterly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% rising to 90%, cloud clearing during the morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 15-20mph gusts 30-35mph.
Temperature
- At 700m Plus 1 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 1 rising to 5 Celsius.
- Freezing level 800m
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of scattered cloud above 500m in the morning will lift and clear with most tops becoming cloud free during the afternoon. Visibility moderate in the morning but becoming good or very good.
Mountain weather information
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with the risk of some mist and fog in the morning, perhaps some light rain or sleet in the afternoon. Fresh or strong southeasterly winds and freezing level around 6-800m.
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of light rain/sleet or snow, wintry above 600m fresh southeasterly winds.
Sat 31 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but mostly dry, risk of mist and fog and remaining cold with southeasterly winds continuing.
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.