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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 12th August 2026
Last updated
Tue 11th Aug 26 at
3:50PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Blustery on high terrain in Scotland, gusts pushing downslope in places. Scattered showery rain in the west, a few heavy bursts; some showers push east with time. Dry with hot sun and little wind for England and Wales, just some patchy high cloud in the north; beware risk of sunburn and dehydration.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Showery rain, some heavy bursts; windy
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly sustained speeds of 20mph, to 35mph along west coast summits with stronger gusts likely, particularly northwest which may approach 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Will increasingly impede ease of walking with height; sudden gusts, in places blowing downslope off higher terrain; walking more strenuous on the west coast with a chilly feeling despite warm temperature.
How Wet?
Showery bursts of rain
Near the west coast, periods of showery rain come and go with some heavy bursts. Inland, rain will be more scattered and light in nature; an occasional cluster of showery rain may pass eastward as well.
Cloud on the hills?
Skye/west coast tops often in cloud, later spreading
Banks of cloud over the high tops of the west coast from morning, little breaks over the Cuillin. Inland summits start substantially clear, but banks will increasingly form here above 900m, later lowering towards 700m locally, but breaks will still occur too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, lowering to 30%; west coasts nearer 20% much of the day
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sunshine, although only occasional or glimpses near the coast. Excellent visibility although haze near the coast, particularly on Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
11C rising to 13 to 16C; coolest Skye, warmest Easter Ross. Feeling near 5C in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 13th August 2026
Last updated
Tue 11th Aug 26 at
3:50PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly between 20 or 25mph Ben Wyvis and near Great Glen to 30 or 35mph coastal summits. Later in the day, speeds becoming more widely near 30mph with notable gusts where heaviest showers occur.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly fairly small more eastern hills, but increasingly strenuous toward the coast, and later more widely with buffeting gusts.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain, frequent and heavy with time
Pulses of rain drift from the southwest through morning, some dry windows north and east for a time. From midday, rain setting in Skye, and progressively more widely, heavy bursts increasingly common with risk of thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive west coast, later more widely
Conditions will vary, with breaks above 900m toward and north of Ullapool and well inland further south. In and after rain, cloud filling in to below 500m, or below 300m coastal slopes open to the southwest near Skye. Through afternoon, cloud more widely extensive as rain sets in to lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% east, lowering to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine in the east through morning, overcast along the coast and more widely overcast as afternoon goes. Visibility poor in cloud and rain, starting better to the east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
13C, rising a degree on eastern hills.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 14th August 2026
Last updated
Tue 11th Aug 26 at
3:50PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 15-25mph, tending to strengthen, notably north where reaching 35mph over tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but some notable breezes over high tops at times, particularly north where becoming quite blustery.
How Wet?
Patchy rain and drizzle
Rain on and off for most Munros throughout the day, generally light in nature with drier windows well inland. Drizzly on western high terrain too.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud shrouds western mountains from at least middle slopes up much of the day, often lower. Inland, bases approach 700m during dry windows, but lowering again in rain with patches to low slopes. A modest improving trend later in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10C, lowering a degree, cooling further overnight.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Thursday remains dry and exceptionally hot across England and Wales; very dry ground conditions. Rain will begin to spread across Scotland through Thursday, this slipping into England and Wales on Friday and bringing a fresher breeze with its passing. Though weekend, high pressure is never far away to the southwest, keeping conditions generally drier and brighter across England and Wales, though a northwesterly flow will bring some cloud to western hills. Scotland is more often cloud with patchy rain in the north and west. Mixed conditions early next week with patchy rain and sunny bursts here and there. With time, a trend towards stronger westerly winds with a few spells of more widespread rain; forecast confidence is low beyond the weekend.