Weather

Easter Aquorthies Recumbant Stone Circle

We have no shortage of weather.  All year round, expect 3 seasons in a day and if you are very lucky you’ll get 4.   So pack for a visit accordingly.  We don’t know what your tolerance for heat and cold is so we can’t tell you exactly how to dress but you should be able to plan your visit based on the averages given.  Just allow also for the extremes.

Rainfall Inverness

The graphs below show the rainfall and temperature in Inverness.  It tends to be a bit drier in the east and wetter on the west.  And colder in the north and east and warmer in the west and south.   The Gulf Stream warms the west and north coasts and the seas in those areas.

Temperature Inverness

It’s generally better to listen or watch Scottish rather than UK forecasts.  Our very coastal aspects mean we get a lot of very local variation.

Oh : official sources will be in Celcius but people will talk about temperatures in Fahrenheit.

Creative Commons – see https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vergleich_Fahrenheit_und_Celsius.svg

The Met Office 5 day forecasts are pretty good.  Well worth looking at to decide whether to make tomorrow a museum or cafe/gallery day or whether you are just going to enjoy that very young whisky (my preferred term for rain).  E.g. Inverness http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gfhyzzs9j

If you are a Facebook user in the Highlands and Islands, then follow Lee, who runs Highlands and Islands Weather.  With an amazing network of weather station, Lee can often give a more detailed forecast than the professionals.  Find Lee at https://www.facebook.com/highlandweather/

But for serious outdoor activities, do check the specialist forecasts and heed the advice.  Our weather can be harsh and changeable.  Better to leave that trip for another day than risk adverse conditions.  And always, if you are headed into the hills, ensure you are well equipped for any conditions up to and including an unexpected night on the hill,

Scottish Mountain Forecast – one for each range

http://www.mwis.org.uk/scottish-forecast

Avalanche risk

Home

Inshore Water Forecast

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/marine-inshore-waters/

Or listen to Coastguard

Surf Forecast

http://magicseaweed.com/UK-Ireland-Surf-Forecast/1/

Surf’s Up