The Northwest Highlands
Areas north from Knoydart in the west, and the Great Glen towards the east (NB. Does not include Mull and areas west of Loch Linnhe, these are found in the West Highlands forecast.)
Monday's Forecast
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.
Drizzle
Light rain or drizzle, total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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.
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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.
Drizzle
Light rain or drizzle, total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 6th May 2024
Last updated
Sun 5th May 24 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Central, east and southern Scotland sees areas of rain from early in the day - these then redeveloping into local thundery downpours into afternoon. For England and Wales, scattered heavy and locally thundery showers also forming later. Winds fairly light overall. Varied cloud bases, limited sun.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Cooler, moderate breeze. Cloudy, patchy rain occasionally.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly, 10 to 15mph, occasionally 20mph on some exposed higher terrain near to coasts. Often lower speeds inland from Kintail to Great Glen.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but feeling noticeably chilly if exposed to stronger breezes.
How Wet?
A little rain locally, often dry
Local drizzly showers in the morning, mostly near to western coasts. A little patchy rain on and off during the day, but amounts generally small, some places often dry. Chance of an isolated heavier shower near Great Glen.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied low cloud, some breaks forming
Varied banks of low cloud, shrouding hills from lower slopes up in morning. Slow rise in bases toward upper slopes inland. Low cloud may persist Ullapool northward. Some breaks into the afternoon, mainly Skye to Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 60% inland and south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast with rare glimpses of sun. Hazy, dull around patchy rain, but visibility becoming mostly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C, coolest near to west coast, tending to drop to 3C widely by evening, locally 1C in north from dusk. Feeling sub-zero if exposed to stronger breeze during daytime.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but after sunset dropping near to freezing on highest tops north from Assynt.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 7th May 2024
Last updated
Sun 5th May 24 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Mostly variable 5-10mph or less. Northerly 15-20mph at first, especially Ben Hope and on Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but feeling chilly in the breeze in the morning.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Local pockets of drizzle early in the day fading. Small risk of an isolated shower forming into afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to tops
Banks of cloud at various heights in the morning, patchy fog in some glens. Will lift toward higher slopes with some breaks forming, increasingly clearing many tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, sun best near west coast in afternoon. Misty in places early in the day, visibility becoming good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C Ben Hope area, elsewhere 3C rising to 6C.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing around 1000m toward north in the morning, otherwise above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 8th May 2024
Last updated
Sun 5th May 24 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 15 to 25mph, may strengthen to 30-35mph with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but increasingly breezy over higher terrain, affecting comfortable walking and balance where exposed.
How Wet?
Risk a little rain west
Patchy drizzly rain may develop from the west, risk becoming steadier rain over west coastal mountains, particularly Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Risk lowering near west coast
Varied banks of cloud over the hills, some good breaks are likely especially further east. Risk of lowering cloud filling in across western mountains, lowest bases around Skye and Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, high cloud may thicken to become overcast from west. Visibility good, but reducing to become poor if rain develops in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. Feeling sub-zero on tops in increasing wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
High pressure builds from the west to be centred over England and Wales into midweek. A fair amount of dry weather in the outlook which may well last through next weekend. Isolated afternoon showers some days. Some weak fronts drifting in from the Atlantic on southwesterly winds bring a risk of occasional rain to the West and Northwest Highlands, with mountains covered in cloud for periods here, especially near to coasts in west. Often dry with higher cloud bases toward the central and eastern Highlands. Briefly cooler in northern Scotland early in the week, but mostly fairly warm and winds often light.