[Andy Mayhew]

Mountain Forecast – Issued Thursday 12th January 2012

Cooler, but mostly dry and sunny

General Situation:

A much different weekend coming up with high pressure centred over the North Sea. Cloudier towards the far west and at times over Sutherland and the Western Isles, with strong southerly winds over western hills. Overnight frosts and a risk of fog patches developing in places, but once this clears it should be dry and sunny over nearly all hills with summits clear. A good weekend for the hills.

Snow cover is very patchy in the Highlands (and non existent elsewhere) at present and very little fresh snow is expected before the weekend (there's just a few sleet and snow showers across the North Highlands today, Thursday). However, where patches exist they should undergo some freeze-thaw over the weekend and become quite icy. Expect icy paths in places as well, in England and Wales as well as Scotland.

The Weekend in Detail:

Saturday 14th January - After a frosty start it should be a bright sunny day in all parts, though perhaps a bit of cloud hanging around towards the north coast of Scotland. Winds mostly light but stronger southerlies over summits in the west, especially Ireland. Becoming cloudier across Ireland through the day as a weakening front pushes in a little from the Atlantic - this not expected to produce any rain. Temperature a little below normal, though pleasant enough in the sunshine when not exposed to the wind.

Sunday 15th January - a similar day though with perhaps a bit more low cloud and fog around first thing in the morning, especially around the Welsh Marches and Pennines. But this should clear by afternoon. There could also be more cloud around the Outer Hebrides and perhaps coastal hills in NW Scotland which may drop down over summits at times and give the odd spot of wintry precitation. The west of Ireland too seeing more cloud around again. Elsewhere though a fine day with good wintry sunshine. Still breezy over western summits.


Further Outlook:

After quite a cold start, Monday should be yet another fine day. A fair bit of uncertainty after that though, with signs that the high pressure will start to sink south on Tuesday allowing a return to more unsettled conditions as westerly winds return, although a chance it may persist over the southern half of the country. Certainly, the Highlands at risk of seeing windier weather frm midweek with more cloud and some rain and hill snow.

Looking further ahead, there are indications that next weekend and beyond will generally be a little cooler than the first half of the month has been - temperatures closer to normal - and with winds tending to be more northwesterly than of late bringing a greater risk of sleet and snow for higher summits in England and Wales, as well as Scotland. A little snow to lower levels before the month is out certainly not beyond the bounds of possiblity, though some milder interludes also likely and at this stage there is still no significantly cold or disruptive weather on the horizon.


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 – 12th January 2012

Forecast by Andy Mayhew for Ukww

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[Adam D]

Thanks Andy.

Looks like a good weekend for being out and about