The West Highlands

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Viewing forecast for Thursday, 11th March, 2010

Forecast last reviewed on Thursday, 11/03/10 at 07:27


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Summary for all mountain areas

A temporary rise in freezing levels near a southward moving front, that will bring patchy rain (snow highest areas) across Scotland. Very blustery across the Scottish Highlands, with gales or near gales for a few hours near and just south of the front.

Headline, The West Highlands

Persistent low cloud. Drizzly rain, mainly west (snow higher areas).

How Windy?

Westerly, mostly 30-35mph, gusts 45 locally 55mph highest areas. Less windy toward south after dawn, & will ease a little again from north later.

Effect Of Wind?

Expect persistent, for periods considerable buffeting, where exposed on higher ridges and summits. Significant wind chill.

How Wet?

Patchy rain; snow higher tops

Rain and drizzle now and again, mostly western hills. Snow will be confined above about 1000m. Total amounts of precipitation will be small.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive; base later rising

Ground above 700m, or toward west coast 450m will be in cloud much of the day. Breaks, if any, as high as 1000m will be confined to eastern hills, mainly in Loch Lomond NP.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

10%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Little or for most areas no sun. Visibility often good, but very poor in low cloud and snow.

How Cold? (at 900m)

0 or 1C; but rising to 2C coastal hills. (Note, only slow temperature drop with height.)

Freezing level

950-1100m.

Planning Outlook for all mountain areas from Friday, 12th March, 2010

A major change in the weather pattern will take place over the next few days, as the centre of gravity of the current high pressure area drifts south to southern Britain. As a result, winds will come in from the west, bringing a consistent rise in freezing levels (although still below freezing intermittently on higher Scottish summits). However, there will be a fairly sustained, if slow, thaw of lying snow. Over the next week, precipitation levels will remain low, but patchy rain will fall over mainly western Scotland as a series of weak fronts move eastwards.

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