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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 18th October 2025
Last updated
Fri 17th Oct 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Breezy south-southeasterly winds, strongest and gustiest in west. Areas of low cloud on hill slopes and fog in some valleys from dawn. Cloud tends to rise and break, but persisting on some south-facing hills. Better northwards across the Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strengthening wind. Some cloud Skye, many hills clear with sun.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly, tending to increase 20 to 30mph, least wind in far north in the morning. Gusts reach 40mph Skye later in daytime. Increasing further into the night, gusty 35 to in places 45mph, strongest Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Becoming more blustery, starting to affect ease of walking and balance on exposed tops and ridges. Deteriorating with stronger winds into night.
How Wet?
Generally dry
Occasional local fine drizzle if in cloud on Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, patchy cloud Skye
Banks of cloud mostly southern areas of the Cuillin above 700-800m. Very patchy cloud elsewhere with hills often clear on mainland, particularly further toward northwest.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% south Cuillin, to 80% elsewhere.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun Skye, sunnier overall further north, some thin high cloud builds. Visibility good, or very good northern areas, but some haze in west around Skye, improving into afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising to 5 or 6C afternoon, but feeling near -5C in the wind, later colder in stronger wind on/near Skye.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 19th October 2025
Last updated
Fri 17th Oct 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly, 30 to 45mph, speeds varying, lower later; locally very gusty, including through passes and lower down.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect blustery conditions, sudden gusty areas affecting balance and comfortable walking. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Wettest on Skye, rain spreads north
Rain extending in from the southwest, soon fairly persistent around Skye, heavy at times. The far north starts dry for a few hours, rain developing, but may be patchier toward Ullapool. Starting to fade by evening from west.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent Skye, some breaks north
Extensive over the hills in rain, most persistent and lowest on Cuillin. Areas toward the coast north from Torridon maintain highest breaks, but in rain develops, cloud cloaking higher areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% Skye, up to 40% north mainland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any weak sun in north through a veil of high cloud soon widely overcast. Visibility good if dry, some haze, poor in rain, particularly around Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, small change with added height. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 20th October 2025
Last updated
Fri 17th Oct 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction variable, mostly 10mph or less around Skye, Kintail, perhaps more widely. In far north, may be easterly 15-25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely small
How Wet?
Local showery rain, greater risk north
Patchy overnight rain likely moving away northwards, leaving local slow-moving areas of showery rain, but a fair amount of dry weather. Chance of rain remaining more persistent in far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, local breaks form
Banks of cloud at various elevations from lower slopes upward from dawn, some slopes may be between cloud layers for a time. Tending to lift mostly above 600-800m, some higher breaks forming.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some weak sun may occasionally break through. Areas of mist may be widespread in morning, locally improving to good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, little change all day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Fronts moving in from the Atlantic by Sunday bring rain, widely setting in heavy for several hours, soonest Wales, here later clearing. A more unsettled outlook into next week as low pressure dominates with areas of rain and showers, which will vary locally day-to-day. Wind speeds will also vary, but some lulls. Potentially significantly colder later in the week with northerly winds, dropping below freezing on higher mountains, with snow showers especially Scottish Munros.