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.)
Friday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Friday 10th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 9th Oct 25 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Drizzly and cloudy in west Scotland, dry with well broken cloud to the east; strong gusty winds central and northern Scotland. Morning low cloud fairly extensive across England, largely clearing the Pennines - Lakeland fells will struggle to clear. A foggy start in Wales with drizzle on west slopes; breaks to many tops forming.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Blustery, risk gales north; often drizzly west
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph, very gusty over high terrain, particularly early in the day. Strongest toward north, risk gusts of 55mph over Ben Hope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, considerable buffeting around ridges and high passes will challenge balance. Notable downslope winds to the east. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Damp west coast
Frequently drizzly around high tops and high west coastal slopes, small amounts of rain in total. Tending to fade, though drizzly moments will occasionally return to highest terrain in the west.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive west, some improvement east
Cloud banks fairly persistent over western mountains, bases 500-700m, lowest on coastal slopes; higher bases inland, often 700m or above. Tending to thin with some breaks, best of breaks east where high terrain may be exposed.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast but glimpses of sun break out at times east of high terrain. Hazy, poorer visibility in drizzle; better toward east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, little change with added height to higher summits. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 11th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 9th Oct 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
A gusty westerly 20 to 30mph; stronger toward the north and east, gusts over high tops reaching 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small some southern areas, but affecting balance in exposure, particularly north where walking will be strenuous.
How Wet?
Some drizzle west, a little rain locally
Small amounts of drizzly rain west coastal hills at times, mostly toward northern areas, may give occasional light rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering western mountains all day
Cloud fairly extensive on the mountains above 600-800m, lowest near west coast, likely to persist around Skye and Torridon all day. Base rising a little, but unlikely to clear in west, some breaks to 900m or above well inland and east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10% near west coast, 20% inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, glimpses of sun mostly eastern glens. Visibility good out of cloud, poorer more often around west coast hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 8C; a slight rise in temperature with height. Feeling near 0C on northern mountains in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 12th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 9th Oct 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
From dawn, a gusty 20mph NW'ly near Ben Hope. Easing to 10mph or less and variable widely.
Effect of the wind on you?
A gusty morning over northern tops, easing to widely negligible conditions.
How Wet?
Substantially dry
Some fine drizzle drifting around in the upper cloud layer. Dry above and below the cloud layer.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
From dawn in the north, a layer of cloud from lower slopes up, shrouding most terrain in the north. More patchy south though highest peaks of Skye, Kintail and Torridon may be near or above the cloud top. Bases will rise slightly.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% high tops in the south above cloud, elsewhere 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little sunshine, though brighter conditions on high southern peaks. Mostly poor visibility; excellent on summits if above cloud later.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 to 10C. May warm towards 11C Skye. Increasing temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds with some drizzle over high ground prevails in northern Scotland into Saturday, then high pressure establishes over the British Isles bringing light winds and dry weather conditions well into next week. Scope for inversion conditions this weekend and early next week with some valley fog and varied low cloud. Into the week, mixed cloud and sun with occasional longer spells of cloud or sunshine. Easterly winds are expected to increase with time for England and Wales, particularly in the south where there could be notable gusts over high terrain. Pleasant daytime temperatures, some cooler nights with slight frost where skies are clear.