[Andy Mayhew]

Mountain Forecast – Issued Thursday 22nd December

Becoming mild, cloudy and windy - rain in north

General Situation:

High pressure over France and a mild southwesterly airflow across all parts of the British Isles with frontal systems mainly affecting Scotland. All upland areas will be cloudy with a lot of hill fog around, and quite windy, especially over summits. After an initial frost on Saturday turning mild in all parts. Some localised flooding possible in the Highlands.

The Weekend in Detail:

Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December - A frosty start in many places, but soon turning milder and cloudier as southwesterly winds increase. Showers soon spreading in from the west across the Scottish Highlands and Galloway with more persistant rain moving in by afternoon. This heaviest around Torridon, Skye and Lochaber, and falling initially as snow to around 2,000ft but as freezing levels rise turning back to rain at most levels with lying snow quickly melting. All summits in cloud. Elsewhere too becoming cloudy with some hill fog, especially around western upslopes and a bit of sleet initially over higher summits in the Lake District and possibly north Snowdonia. Mostly dry across South Wales and the SW Moors and eastern parts of the Pennines and Peak District. A wet night in Scotland with rain also affecting parts of northern England so Santa will need a brolly and wellies.

Christmas Day Sunday 25th December - it's just possible a few flakes of snow may fall on the summit of Ben Nevis but that's about it. A fairly wet day across much of the Highlands and Galloway with with the rain again heaviest and more persistant in the west, extensive hill fog and strong winds to all level, gales over summits. Very wet conditions underfoot as remaining snow melts. Just as well everyone will be too busy stuffing themselves on turkey to think of climbing any hills! Drier elsewhere to start with, though very windy, with some rain possible at times for the Lake District and Snowdonia and hill fog affecting most upland areas. South Wales and the SW Moors seeing the brightest weather.

Further Outlook:

Similar conditions persisting on Boxing Day with Lochaber, Torridon and Skye all looking rather wet but some brighter spells elsewhere, albeit still plenty of hill fog around and strong southwesterly winds. Winds easing on Tuesday though as high pressure starts to build over Britain and cooler air pushes south over Scotland - rain turning back to snow over the hills here as a weakening cold fronts works south. Much cooler midweek with overnight frosts returning and with it mostly dry, much better weather for working off the excesses of Christmas dinner. Some snow cover likely over the Highlands. Becoming milder and more unsettled once again for next weekend with southwesterly winds returning, though Hogmanay not looking quite so wet and windy in the Highlands as Christmas will be.

For the latest daily weather update covering most upland regions of Britain, more please visit The Mountain Weather Information Service website provided by Geoff Monk.

Met Office Mountain Forecasts are also available for the Highlands, Lake District, Peak District and Wales.

Avalanche news for the Highlands is provided by SAIS


Note: this is a personal interpretation of likely weather conditions on the UK hills and is intended for general guidance purposes only. Local conditions may vary and changes may occur suddenly and without warning. Extreme caution should always be exercised when venturing into the hills

TOI 11.15 GMT – 22nd December 2011

Forecast by Andy Mayhew for Ukww

Ukww Disclaimer:- The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of this data. UKww (UK Weatherworld) is providing this data "as is" and UKww disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will UKww be liable to you or to any third party or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data

[Toreador]

Thanks Andy, and Merry Christmas

[Adam D]

Thanks for the forecast(s) Andy.

The season's best wishes to you!