Mountain weather
Southwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for westerly flow with relatively high freezing level, but lowering for timing detail of rain bands.
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
Showers by day, heavier for afternoon. Periods of rain for evening. Strong summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 30% | 40% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SW
20
|
SW
22
|
SW
22
|
SW
24
|
SW
25
|
SW
28
|
| 900m |
SW
16
|
SW
17
|
SW
18
|
SW
19
|
SW
19
|
SW
21
|
| 600m |
SW
19
|
SW
19
|
SW
19
|
SW
22
|
SW
20
|
SW
23
|
| 300m |
SW
10
|
SW
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
| Glen |
SW
7
|
SW
9
|
W
9
|
SW
10
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 24 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 35 |
| 900m | 19 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 27 |
| 600m | 23 | 23 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 30 |
| 300m | 14 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 20 |
| Glen | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
14°
|
15°
|
16°
|
16°
|
15°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,100m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Risk sunburn in exposure for the afternoon, chiefly in the east.
Weather
Scattered light showers through this morning, mainly across the cloudier west of the area. Showers building for the afternoon, particularly towards The Trossachs where the best of the afternoon sunshine appears. Cloud gradually thickening and lowering from the west during the evening bringing an area of rain by late evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
By day 60% in west, 80% in east, lowering through the evening
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility good falling moderate or poor in showers and later periods of rain, very poor within cloud with bases occasionally lowering 800m by day, mainly in the west, before thickening and lowering from the west during the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy start with occasional rain, but clearing as a mix of brighter spells and scattered showers feed from the north through the morning. Some heavier out outbreaks early afternoon towards The Trossachs, and easing through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30-40% becoming 80-90% by late afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
West 25-30mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across most exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7-8 Celsius
- Glen Plus 12 Celsius increasing 19 Celsius during the afternoon
- Freezing level Above all summits
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility good falling moderate or poor in early rain then showers, very poor within cloud with bases quite extensive from 600m at first, particularly in the west, before lifting and breaking for late afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Mon 28 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with bright spells by day. Cloud and rain reaching the west during the evening. Fresh westerly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Tue 29 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
West cloudy to overcast with showers or longer periods of rain. East seeing afternoon showers, otherwise mainly dry and occasionally bright. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 30 Jul
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Brighter spell and scattered showers, these turning heavier inland for the afternoon. Fresh westerly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Including Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and the rest of Lochaber, Argyll including the Isles, Loch Lomond, Trossachs and Arran
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service