Mountain weather
Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for mostly dry, settled conditions on Friday and over the weekend. Lower confidence on day to day cloud details.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry. Rather cloudy morning, brighter afternoon. Light winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
NW
15
|
NW
16
|
NW
12
|
NW
12
|
NW
11
|
N
6
|
| 900m |
NW
13
|
NW
13
|
NW
12
|
NW
12
|
NW
11
|
N
6
|
| 600m |
NW
9
|
NW
11
|
NW
10
|
NW
10
|
NW
9
|
N
5
|
| 300m |
NW
3
|
NW
3
|
NW
4
|
NW
5
|
NW
7
|
N
4
|
| Glen |
W
5
|
W
4
|
W
7
|
W
7
|
NW
5
|
N
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m | 17 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 8 |
| 900m | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 8 |
| 600m | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 7 |
| 300m | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 7 |
| Glen | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
10°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
15°
|
16°
|
16°
|
17°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,800m
|
2,600m
|
2,800m
|
2,900m
|
3,000m
|
3,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000m |
7°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
8°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Glen |
15°
|
16°
|
15°
|
16°
|
16°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Even with limited sunshine, high UV levels will bring sunburn risk.
Weather
Cloudy start with a little drizzle, mainly north Highlands. Then becoming dry and brighter during the afternoon with some sunshine.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% improving 70% in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally good visibility beneath the cloud which will be extensive at first above 700 to 800m. Clouds then lifting during the morning with some breaks developing.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry, bright day with sunny spells although rather cloudy at times over north Highlands. Some patches of mist and low cloud in the glens at first.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Winds light and variable direction, average speeds only 5 to 10mph.
Temperature
- At 800m 14 Celsius.
- Glen 12 Celsius rising to 21 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Mostly very good visibility with occasional cloud cover above about 800m. Some patches lower down, especially at first.
Mountain weather information
Sun 17 Aug
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with sunny spells and light winds.
Mon 18 Aug
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early mist and low cloud soon dispersing to leave another dry day with some sunshine. Light east to southeasterly breeze on the tops.
Tue 19 Aug
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry weather looks set to continue with light east to southeast winds. Early mist and low cloud soon dispersing to leave another dry day with some sunshine
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