Storms will make hillwalking difficult if not impossible tomorrow

Hillwalkers are being warned of storm-force winds tomorrow, with gusts of 100mph (160kph) hitting Highland peaks.

The Met Office, the official Government forecasters, have issued amber warnings for even low-level parts of the Highlands and north-west England, with Yorkshire and Humberside, Wales, the East Midlands and Grampian being covered by a  less severe yellow warning.

Forecasters say structural damage and falling trees are possible and disruption to transport likely.

The 100mph gusts are likely over ridges and summits, mainly south of Torridon, the Met Office said, as well as on eastern Highland peaks south of the Cairngorm plateau.

Winds will consistently blow at 65 to 75mph, classed as a violent storm, touching hurricane force on the highest peaks. The winds will be accompanied by heavy, persistent rain in Argyll, Lochaber, the southern north-west Highlands and Perthshire hills.

Winds will also hit further south, with the Lake District experiencing gusts of 90mph (145kph), the Snowdonia mountains 80mph (130kph) and the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Brecon Beacons faring little better with gusts reaching 70mph (115kph).

Although mountain tops will have temperatures of up to 9C, the high winds will induce a severe wind-chill, making it feel sub-zero in the storms.

The winds are the remnants of Hurricane Katia which will move eastwards across northern Scotland during tomorrow, bringing a spell of very windy weather to all of the UK and heavy rain to western Scotland.

The Met Office said strongest winds are expected to affect parts of Northern Ireland during the morning, before moving east across central and southern Scotland and into north-east England by evening.

The high winds are expected to continue into Tuesday and Wednesday across Britain’s mountains, though they will abate slightly.

More information on weather is available via grough’s links pages, with mountain and hillwalking sites offering specific forecasts for hillgoers.