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, locally gusty

A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. 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

Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, 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

Mostly sunny, snow capping highest tops

Blue skies and crisp winter sunshine, but feeling chilly out of the sun.

Fine, partly cloudy, snow cover on tops

Mostly dry with partly cloudy skies; patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes; tops remain capped with snow.

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 good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.

Patchy rain or drizzle

Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.

Frequent or persistent 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.

Snow

Snowfall continuous or frequent, beware of conditions becoming challenging.

Heavy snow

Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.

Snow and rain mix

Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.

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 cloud banks drifting over the mountains, some slopes clearing at times, a little sun may break through locally.

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

Extreme 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

Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.

Chilly

Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.

Warm

Comfortable temperatures on the hills, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.

Mild

Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.

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.

Strong sunshine

Bright sunshine, can still cause sunburn. Feeling warm if climbing rapidly.

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