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.)
Wednesday'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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 15th October 2025
Last updated
Tue 14th Oct 25 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
High Scottish Highland tops remain above an inversion except in the far north; cloud becoming well broken in many areas. Variable morning cloud in England and Wales lifts to or off higher slopes with sun breaks. Highest Lakeland and Snowdonia tops at or above cloud tops. Feeling mild for most, an easterly breeze in Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Morning low fog lifts, well-broken inland and south
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally variable 10mph or less, a generally westerly trend as the day goes. Northern areas may see west-northwesterly winds gusting to 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Likely dry
Small chance of light spotty rain in the far north. Dry elsewhere.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks of cloud lifting to higher slopes, most extensive north and west
At dawn, mostly just low fog in the glens with some banks upslope. Northern areas may see more extensive banks to middle slopes. Cloud lifts to high terrain and likely well broken around Kintail/Ben Wyvis, lower and more extensive near the coast and northern mountains.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% at dawn (high tops above cloud), lowering to 50%, lower chance west and north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, may be rather frequent inland southern areas. Likely becoming only glimpses near the coast and north. Some morning mist and haze, tending to improve.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, perhaps slightly warmer briefly on the summits before cloud rises. Cooler inland glens at dawn.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 16th October 2025
Last updated
Tue 14th Oct 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Mostly variable 10-15mph, at times less. In the far north, a gusty northwesterly 15-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small
How Wet?
Local drizzly rain north
A few spots of drizzly rain will drift onto northern hills, amounting to little. Some very fine drizzle drifting around in fog and rock surfaces will be slick.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, bases lift somewhat
Extensive from dawn with lowest bases near the west coast. More broken on lower terrain near Kintail/Ben Wyvis. Bases rise towards 600-700m, higher bases well east, but most high terrain remains shrouded, only a few odd breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Good visibility under the cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 17th October 2025
Last updated
Tue 14th Oct 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-northeasterly, 10-15mph, soon shifting east then southeasterly by afternoon. May strengthen into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Light patchy rain north
Local areas of light rain drifting around the northern mountains, likely mostly north of Ullapool. Will amount to very little.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly north, some variable breaks
Some patchy cloud around high terrain in the morning, local fog possible in the glens as well. Patches come and go over southern mountains, larger banks tending to form on northern mountains, though a chance for local high breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% south, 20% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of weak sun, best in the south. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
High pressure weakens as the weekend approaches: varied low cloud and valley fog remain likely in the mornings, causing damp surfaces and slippery rock-faces. Cloud lifts higher during the day, starting to shroud mountain peaks more often, cooler temperatures returning to the high tops. Local cloud breaks, best of breaks in west Wales, though a haze will linger on low slopes of southern Scotland, England, and Wales - clearer air likely below the cloud in the Scottish Highlands. Light winds overall, an easterly breeze for Wales. The weekend sees a transition to low pressure. Winds will rise and more high cloud will reduce sunshine, rain then arriving late weekend and coming and going into the next week. Timing and location of rain uncertain for now.