Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally dry and sunny weather on Wednesday and cloudy conditions Thursday but lower for the extent of any showers in the outlook.
This evening forecast
A clear evening with some patchy cloud and clear spells. Breezy southerly winds on the 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
A mostly dry and sunny day. Cloud and patchy rain later.
| 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) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% |
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
|
S
17
|
S
19
|
S
21
|
SW
23
|
SW
25
|
SW
25
|
SW
25
|
| 900m |
S
12
|
S
16
|
S
18
|
S
19
|
SW
22
|
SW
24
|
SW
23
|
SW
23
|
| 600m |
S
9
|
S
12
|
S
11
|
S
14
|
SW
17
|
SW
19
|
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
| 300m |
S
2
|
S
3
|
S
2
|
SW
4
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
SW
6
|
SW
4
|
| Glen |
E
3
|
E
3
|
E
3
|
S
5
|
SW
9
|
SW
13
|
SW
8
|
SW
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 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 32 |
| 900m | 15 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 30 |
| 600m | 12 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 25 | 29 | 25 | 24 |
| 300m | 9 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 24 | 27 | 22 | 18 |
| Glen | 5 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 21 | 25 | 17 | 15 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
16°
|
17°
|
17°
|
14°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
18°
|
19°
|
19°
|
16°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
2,000m
|
2,100m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,300m
|
2,200m
|
2,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
15°
|
16°
|
15°
|
13°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
17°
|
17°
|
16°
|
15°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
A risk of sunburn with strong UV levels. A generally warm day also so a risk of dehydration and exhaustion, cooler on the summits however so warmer clothing may be needed here. Cooler also in the evening with low cloud and light rain spreading eastwards.
Weather
A mostly dry and sunny day with patchy cloud. A touch cloudier at times with the odd shower possible from late morning and through the afternoon, but these mainly focussed in the north. Cloud and patchy rain will move into the west through the evening with clear spells in the east. Fresh south to southwesterly winds may be strong at times on the summits. A warm day in the glens but colder on higher routes and summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
>95% for much of the day but falling to <10% in the west and 60% in the east through the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
No low cloud expected through the morning and afternoon but extensive low cloud will move into the west during the evening with base 300-500m. Visibility very good outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cloudy and overcast morning with patchy rain and drizzle. Rain and cloud clearing to the east by late morning but remaining rather cloudy with sunny intervals for the rest of the day with the odd shower possible. A colder day than Wednesday with a marked wind chill and some of the showers possibly wintry. Fresh southwesterly winds turning westerly and becoming strong on the summits later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% in the morning. 40% for the rest of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
20-25 gusting 30-40mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 6 falling to 4 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 8 rising to 12 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits falling to 1200m.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread low cloud with base 300-500m in the morning. Occasional low cloud, base 500-700m, through the rest of the day with some clearer intervals. Visibility poor in rain and drizzle but very good outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Fri 2 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A mostly cloudy day with a few bright or sunny intervals and showers. Fresh to strong westerly winds. Freezing level below summits.
Sat 3 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Patchy cloud with sunny spells and showers. Fresh to strong northwesterly winds. Freezing level below summits.
Sun 4 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with sunny spells. Fresh northerly winds. Freezing level below summits.
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