Mountain weather

Northwest Highlands

Northwest Highlands Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for Friday and Saturday. High for mostly dry weather developing on Sunday and early next week.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.

hazard 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.
hazard 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

Cloudy start with patchy sleet and snow, drier and brighter by afternoon

06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Sleet Cloudy Cloudy Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
40% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m E
11
S
9
SW
13
SW
20
SW
17
S
17
900m E
10
S
9
SW
13
SW
19
SW
17
S
16
600m E
3
S
6
SW
10
SW
15
SW
13
S
11
300m E
5
S
4
SW
6
SW
8
SW
5
S
1
Glen NE
4
SW
3
SW
6
SW
10
SW
7
SE
3
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m 15 11 17 26 22 21
900m 14 11 17 26 21 20
600m 6 8 15 21 18 15
300m 10 6 15 21 16 12
Glen 7 4 10 18 13 8

Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m
-1°
-1°
-1°
900m
600m
300m
Glen
10°
Freezing Level
800m
700m
800m
900m
900m
800m

Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1000m
-6°
-5°
-5°
-5°
-6°
-7°
900m
-5°
-5°
-4°
-4°
-5°
-6°
600m
-1°
-1°
-2°
300m
Glen

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Notable wind chill expected in the brisk higher summit winds

Weather

Cloudy for most of the morning with some patchy sleet and snow at first. This dying out through the morning to leave the rest of the day largely dry with sunny intervals this afternoon with just the odd light snow shower. However western parts of Sutherland, Wester Ross and Skye may remain cloudy until evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

70%, but 30% in the far west

Low cloud and visibility

Poor at first in any snow and widespread low cloud down to 400 to 700 metres. Much improved visibility with good air clarity by afternoon with patchy cloud above 850 metres. However low cloud will linger in the west of the area.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Mostly cloudy with the chance of some rain, sleet or snow showers in the morning and early afternoon. Becoming drier and brighter from the south through the afternoon.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

60%

Maximum wind speed expected

Southerly average speeds of 15 mph

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 2 Celsius
  • Glen 0 rising to 10 Celsius
  • Freezing level 1000 to 1200 metres

Low cloud and visibility

Mostly very good visibility outside of cloud and showers. Areas of cloud down to 750 metres as showers run through, this becoming persistent for a time from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

Mountain weather information

Sun 31 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mist and low cloud across Easter Ross at first, otherwise it will be dry and bright. Freezing level 1200 metres.

Mon 1 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Low cloud across the east lifting and breaking in the morning. Otherwise dry with sunny spells. Freezing level 900 metres.

Tue 2 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dry, cold and settled with variable amounts of cloud. Freezing level 600 metres.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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The area of Assynt includes some of the most remote and distinguished peaks in Scotland including Suilven, Quinag and Stac Pollaidh which stand tall and castle-like above areas of moorland and lochans. Glen Shiel and Glen Affric are characterised by dramatic steep mountain sides, lofty ridges and a high concentration of Munros (Scottish mountains over 3000 feet), making it a highly popular area for ‘Munro baggers’.   

The Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye are among the steepest and most technically challenging mountains in the UK. There are twelve Munros including the Inaccessible Pinnacle which is the only Munro which requires rock climbing to reach its summit. There are two main ranges; the magnificent Black Cuillin (or Cuillin Ridge) and the Red Cuillin (also known as the Red Hills) which are more rounded in nature.

Torridon has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Scotland including the classic trio of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe. The latter also includes Britain's first National Nature Reserve where you may spot golden eagles, crossbills, pine martins and wild cats on your travels.

For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service