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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 0 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 17th October 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Oct 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Light frost and patchy mist to start, soon thawing and most hill-cloud dissipating for fairly widespread chilly sunshine. A few early light showers affect north Wales and east Pennines, afternoon high cloud in England. Far northwest Scotland sees more hill cloud with a few sleet/snow showers.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
A few light sleet/snow showers north, otherwise bright
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-northwesterly 10-15mph, may gust up to 20mph north but speeds tend to lessen, notably Skye, a slightly southwesterly shift here later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Few light showers northwest
A few light showers will drift onto hills near and north of Ullapool, sleet/snow on the high tops, elsewhere dry. Showers all light in nature.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to varied patches on summits, mostly north
Patches at varied heights to start, mist in sheltered glens. Will lift and begin to dissipate, though hills near and north of Ullapool will see more frequent banks of cloud above 700-800m, and perhaps this cloud more broadly across western mountains early in the day. Just varied patches touching summits further south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, nearer 50% north of Ullapool
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun and high cloud, some cloudier periods to the north; increasingly sunny southern areas. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising a degree, locally to 4C on sun-exposed slopes.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: just around high summits, dawn frosts on sheltered low slopes/glens, thawing through morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 18th October 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Oct 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15-25mph, strongest Skye and quite gusty over high terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though strongest gusts particularly over the Cuillin will begin to impede walking with wind chill.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high Cuillin
Patchy mist in sheltered glens from dawn will soon begin to lift and dissipate, most hills substantially clear much of the day. Skye will see a deck of cloud come and go above 700m, may be extensive over the Cuillin at times and occasionally drift over nearby mainland summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% Cuillin, 80% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sun for most, some patchy cloud towards west coast. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, rising a degree, locally 5C northern areas; little change with added height. May feel as cold as -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but frosts common at dawn on sheltered slopes/into glens, thawing in the morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 19th October 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Oct 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 15 to 25mph, locally variable and some gusty spots. Speeds tending to rise later, 30mph from dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but feeling chilly and later may affect comfortable walking in exposure.
How Wet?
Very likely dry
Cloud on the hills?
Very little
Patchy cloud may drift around some slopes at times, plus early patchy mist on lower terrain possible. Later in day, cloud banks may drift in more from the east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine and some thin high cloud. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 5C, little change all day and small variation with height over the mountains. Feeling like 0 to -5C in exposure to wind.
Freezing Level
Frost widely inland glens and some sheltered higher areas early morning; otherwise above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A window of more settled weather continues into Sunday as high pressure extends over Britain. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings with ground frosts, some valley mist particularly in Scotland. The new week starts with some rain and wind in Wales and south Pennines, more settled to the north but with strengthening wind and building cloud as well. A general unsettling trend indicated through next week as winds return to Atlantic southwesterlies. A few windows of brighter weather in eastern areas, but a rising risk of strong wind and heavy rain into late week and next weekend.