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.)
Saturday's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail, at times falling toward lower elevations.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail, at times falling toward lower elevations.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 27th April 2024
Last updated
Fri 26th Apr 24 at
3:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Continuing cold with higher areas below freezing point, particularly in the morning. Showers, mostly hail flurries developing, becoming frequent NW Scotland. Noticeable wind chill Wales. Very clear air.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Little wind. Hail and snow showers, becoming frequent.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Light wind; variable direction.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers becoming widespread
Morning; largely dry well inland, although within 10 or 15 miles of the general lie of the west coast, showers or flurries of hail and snow. Afternoon: flurries or showers across the region, frequent, particularly more western hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Summits extensively cloud free; may come and go on Skye.
Generally only fragments of cloud shrouding higher slopes now and again, mainly in and after precipitation. Lower confidence on Skye, where threat of frequently shrouding slopes above 750m, particularly south Cuillin, and now and again patches as low as 500m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak sunshine at times, but overall extensive cloud layers. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C post dawn. Rising to 4C by afternoon (nearer 1C Cuilin).
Freezing Level
700 to 800m until mid-morning, then gradually rising above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 28th April 2024
Last updated
Fri 26th Apr 24 at
3:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Light wind; variable direction.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Occasional snow/hail flurries
Largely dry but light snow or hail flurries, mainly afternoon. Total precipitation small.
Cloud on the hills?
Summits extensively cloud free
Fragments of cloud some higher slopes until mid morning and rarely near precipitation.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy bright sunshine although cloud filling in at times. Excellent or superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C after dawn but extensively 5C by mid afternoon. Remaining at or just above freezing point Skye & Ben Hope (far north).
Freezing Level
Widely near or below freezing point valleys up at dawn. By late morning above the summits, except very close to the coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 29th April 2024
Last updated
Fri 26th Apr 24 at
3:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly between 10 and 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Substantially dry although slowly from the south, risk of a few bursts of rain, possibly eventually setting in, particularly on and near Skye. Until about mid afternoon, precipitation of snow above 750-1000m
Cloud on the hills?
Hills extensively free of cloud
Near Skye: Summits most likely cloud free for much of day, but gradually increasing risk of cloud capping higher areas, particularly in precipitation. The cloud may eventually fill in on lower slopes, Cuillin's (very uncertain as yet). Elsewhere: Tops extensively cloud free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of hazy sun, although in morning, perhaps sunnier far north. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 3 or 4C
Freezing Level
900m, gradually lifting above the summits from the south. Frost in many valleys post dawn.
Planning Outlook
Less cold next week with freezing levels almost constantly above highest summits. Rain from time to time, particularly across Wales. Wind direction will be predominantly easterly. This will bring in frequent low cloud to more eastern mountains, with highest cloud base often near the west coast.