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.)
Today's Forecast
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.
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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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.
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
Wednesday 8th May 2024
Last updated
Tue 7th May 24 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Thickening cloud toward northwest Scotland will see patchy rain develop, later persistent near Skye. SW'ly winds reaching gale force on coastal mountains in northwest, increasingly windy elsewhere too. By evening, a little rain spills eastwards across the Highlands. England and Wales dry with broken cloud and sun.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Wind strengthening to gale force. Rain and lowering cloud afternoon.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph early morning, strengthening to 40mph inland, or 50mph on western mountains, but locally north of Ullapool reaching 60mph afternoon. Local stronger gusts possible.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly arduous conditions particularly over western mountains, buffeting gusts in places may knock you off your feet later. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain developing, heaviest western areas into evening
Largely dry morning. Patchy drizzly rain developing from the west, becoming fairly widespread during the afternoon, steadier rain setting in with time over west coastal mountains, particularly Skye. Staying wet into the night especially western mountains, heavier rain for a time.
Cloud on the hills?
Capping some tops, breaks; lowering in west afternoon.
Varied banks of cloud over the hills, some good breaks are likely especially further east. Lowering cloud filling in across western mountains as rain develops, blanket low cloud forming around Skye and Torridon later afternoon into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% west to 70% east; by evening 10% near west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun at first, high cloud thickens to become overcast from west. Visibility good, but reducing to become poor as rain develops in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C. Feeling like -5C on tops, risk nearer -10C in strongest winds on higher areas.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 9th May 2024
Last updated
Tue 7th May 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly 20 to 30mph, locally may stronger for a time on west coastal mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on exposed ridges.
How Wet?
Rain mostly west, fading
Rain and drizzle from overnight likely to continue into the morning, most persistent around Skye where may linger for a few hours. Breaking up into drizzly showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest west
Shrouding western mountains much of the day from low to mid elevations upward. Higher cloud bases inland, but covering most higher terrain persistently. Some lift of cloud bases and local breaks afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull west, murky near Skye. Glimpses of sun and better visibility toward east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 10th May 2024
Last updated
Tue 7th May 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 15 to 25mph, locally on west coastal mountains up to 30mph in gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in places, may affect walking and balance on the highest ridges, especially the Cuillin.
How Wet?
Chance of occasional showers.
Most of the day dry. On the coastal areas possibility of light showers throughout the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly west coast, likely clearing.
Patches of clouds on the coastal mountains mainly in the morning, dispersing during the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairy cloudy in the morning, dispersing around noon, later some sunshine going through higher clouds.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
High pressure centred over England and Wales during the second half of this week, whilst weak fronts drift past northwest Scotland, giving some patchy rain or drizzle, but improving toward the end of the week and weekend here. Most places dry and increasingly warm with southerly breezes. A greater risk of some rain or showers by Sunday in the west. Low pressure then moving toward the south of Britain by early next week is likely to strengthen an easterly wind and may bring some rain or showers for a time.