[Andy Mayhew]

Mountain Forecast – Issued Thursday 23rd February 2012

Unsettled, but fairly mild

General Situation:

Low pressure over Iceland with associated fronts bringing rain and strong winds to the Highlands. With the freezing level initially around 2,000ft this falling at first as sleet or snow, but any wintriness later restricted to higher summits as the freezing level rises. High pressure over southern England with drier, brighter and less windy conditions for much of England and Wales but a weak embedded front bring some thicker cloud and occasional drizzle to the SW Moors on Saturday and patchy rain moving into western parts on Sunday. Temperatures down a little on what they have been but still mostly on the mild side for February

The Weekend in Detail:

Saturday 25th February - showery in the Highlands, particularly north and west of the Great Glen, though cloud levels mostly above summits. Some sleet and snow to 2,000ft to start with but freezing level rising to above 3,000ft later in the day. Strong winds with gales over exposed summits. Hills to the south and east of the Cairngorms look best placed to remain mostly dry and see some sunny spells.

Southern Uplands, northern Englands and Wales should all see a dry day with variable cloud - this should stay above summits, once any early morning mist and fog has cleared, with the best of any sunshine to the east of the main ranges. Just a small risk of the odd light shower affecting some western coastal hills. Some hill fog and drizzle affecting the SW though, especially Dartmoor, with this probably easing off through the afternoon and turning a bit brighter here as well. Slight risk of a frost in a few prone spots overnight. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds over summits in the Lake District, but light and variable further south.


Sunday 26th February - rain and thick cloud spreading across all parts of the Highlands, with not much brightness even in the east and strong winds with gales over summits. Hill fog becoming extensive across the Hebrides and West Highlands - cloud levels a little higher further east.. A cloudier day for other western hills too with some hill fog and patchy rain affecting Galloway, the Lake District and West Wales by afternoon - but staying mainly dry and bright around the Welsh Marches and for the Peak and Pennines through much of the day (cloud increasing from the west later). Rain becoming heavier and more extensive in the Highlands later in the day and overnight. Freezing levels continuing to rise and above most summits by afternoon in all parts.

Further Outlook:

Rain and low cloud spreading east across all parts on Monday, as high pressure over England sinks away into the continent. Some uncertainty thereafter on whether or not high pressure will push back over England but certainly unsettled with wind and rain for the Highlands and this probably at times affecting England and Wales as well - more southern parts always looking driest and brightest. Cooler unsettled conditions may spread from the NW over next weekend with a risk of seeing some snow over summits, initially in Scotland but possibly down to Snowdonia as well later.


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 11.20 GMT – 23rd February 2012

Forecast by Andy Mayhew for Ukww

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