Icon Information
Wind Show More
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Moderate breeze, fairly small impact, but chilly
A noticeable breeze, feeling distinctly chilly. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Visibility Show More
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that some paths over higher summits may be obscured by lying snow.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Precipitation Show More
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Sunshine and showers
A mixed weather day, with rain on and off, briefly heavy, but mixed with periods of sunshine.
Drizzle
Light rain or drizzle, total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Thunderstorm
Heavy or torrential downpours with hail, risk of thunder and lightning. Seek shelter where possible.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail, at times falling toward lower elevations.
Dry and sunny
Extensive strong warm sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Mostly dry, partly cloudy
Dry most or all day. Variable amounts of sun and cloud, occasional patches drifting onto some higher slopes, but most summits often clear.
Heavy showers, snow and hail
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail on higher terrain, rain or hail lower down. Risk of a rumble of thunder and isolated lightning.
Temperature Show More
Very Cold
Significant wintry conditions - well below freezing over higher terrain all day, feeling bitterly cold due to wind chill. Difficult conditions. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
Cool
Temperatures above freezing but typically no higher than +5C over the tops - if exposed to brisk winds will feel sub-zero. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Mild
Air temperature above freezing to highest summits. May feel pleasantly warm on lower ground, but take appropriate layers. Feeling chilly if exposed to wind.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Hot
Very warm conditions across the hills, hot on lower terrain. Beware of dehydration. Carry plenty of liquid.
Very Hot
Heatwave conditions. Very high temperatures on higher and lower ground. Beware of heat stroke and dehydration. Carry plenty of liquid.
Hazards Show More
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, especially where also over snow covered terrain.
Strong sunshine
High UV levels, beware of sunburn. Warm temperatures, rising above 20C in the valleys, beware of dehydration.