Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for turning hot for many. Low for any shower detail on Friday and Saturday, also for the cloud and rain timings from Sunday.
This evening forecast
Partly cloudy with a few isolated light showers early to mid-evening. Strong westerly summit winds easing during the late evening. Freezing level above all 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
Most dry with best of brightness in east. Summit winds freshening from noon. Freezing level above summits
| 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% | <05% | <05% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
SW
14
|
SW
11
|
S
9
|
SE
10
|
S
13
|
S
12
|
S
13
|
S
18
|
| 900m |
SW
13
|
SW
10
|
S
8
|
SE
9
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
16
|
| 600m |
SW
8
|
SW
6
|
S
6
|
S
7
|
S
10
|
S
10
|
S
9
|
S
10
|
| 300m |
SW
2
|
SW
1
|
S
1
|
SE
2
|
S
3
|
S
4
|
S
4
|
SE
2
|
| Glen |
W
2
|
E
1
|
E
2
|
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
SW
5
|
SW
3
|
SE
3
|
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 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 23 |
| 900m | 16 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 |
| 600m | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
| 300m | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
| Glen | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
9°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
12°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
15°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
13°
|
15°
|
18°
|
18°
|
15°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
15°
|
17°
|
20°
|
20°
|
18°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
2,600m
|
2,700m
|
2,800m
|
2,600m
|
2,800m
|
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°
|
2°
|
4°
|
6°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
10°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
18°
|
18°
|
16°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
15°
|
17°
|
20°
|
21°
|
18°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Risk of sunburn in afternoon exposure.
Weather
Rather cloudy around the western coastal ranges with the chance of a few light outbreaks of rain cropping up. Dry with occasional brighter spells in the east, these most widespread during the morning and in the east from Ben Wyvis northwards.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Ranging from 60% in far west and 90% in far east
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility very good to excellent, becoming moderate in rain, very poor within cloud which occasionally lowers to 700m, chiefly in the far west.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Hot with the vast majority staying dry with good sunny spells developing. However this may bubble up a few well scattered but sharp afternoon showers, bringing a small risk of passing thunderstorms. Fresh to strong, southerly summit winds. High risk of sunburn in exposure.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Virtually 100% becoming 90% for the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
South 20-25mph with gusts reaching 35 mph over more exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 10 Celsius increasing 15 Celsius for the afternoon
- Glen Plus 15 Celsius increasing 26 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above all summits
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility very good to excellent, becoming moderate in showers, very poor within cloud which infrequently lowers to 700m during the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Sat 21 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A touch cloudier than Friday, but again hot with sunshine and with most avoiding the isolated sharp afternoon showers that do develop. Winds fresh southerly. Freezing level well above the summits.
Sun 22 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Turning more unsettled with occasional areas of rain crossing from the west. Also seasonally warm rather than hot, with the fresh winds now veered west to southwest. Freezing level well above the summits.
Mon 23 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with showers or longer periods of rain. Best of the shelter towards Ben Wyvis. Fresh to strong southwest summit winds. Freezing level well above the 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
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