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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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 3rd October 2025
Last updated
Thu 2nd Oct 25 at
4:08PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Mostly dry conditions early with modest wind effects, deteriorating as Storm Amy arrives. Winds reach gale-force around midday, further deteriorating through afternoon, reaching hurricane-force over high Scotland tops later. Rain becomes widespread with sustained heavy falls on western mountains; local flooding is likely.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Variable morning conditions, deteriorating to rain and violent wind
How windy? (On the Munros)
From dawn, west-southwesterly 20-30mph; risk of stronger winds before dawn. May briefly lull before a southeasterly shift and rapid rise after midday to 40-50mph, returning southwesterly and further rising to 80-100mph by nightfall.
Effect of the wind on you?
Rapidly changing conditions: fairly benign for several hours in the morning, then significant deterioration through afternoon. Any mobility will be difficult by evening.
How Wet?
Morning showers, locally dry, then widespread rain
Overnight rain easing to showers early morning, mostly dry for a few hours in the north. Rain developing from the southwest afternoon, spreading widely and setting in heavy on/near Skye. Wet underfoot, streams in spate.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaking to tops mostly inland, extensive later
Varied cloud banks over the hills above 700m from dawn, most extensive western areas. Breaks forming to upper slopes, clearing for periods inland/north before becoming extensive as rain develops. Cuillin likely stay often covered.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% for a time, becoming practically nil.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun through high cloud, possibly more frequent for a time, then becoming overcast through afternoon. Visibility excellent before rain arrives, becoming very poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C. May briefly rise to 7C later in the day. Feeling increasingly chilly as winds rise, near -10C afternoon, then colder into night.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 4th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 2nd Oct 25 at
4:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly, 70 to 90mph, gusts likely 100mph on higher mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions, difficult mobility on hills from lower elevations upward. Damaging gusts possible on low ground.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day western areas
Persistent heavy rain from before dawn, remaining frequent or constant over western mountains all day, but tending to break up, more showery at times. Falling as sleet on highest tops. Expect flooding.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud base varying, but covering most mountains throughout the day, lowest sustained bases near west coast and on Skye, 500-700m. Some higher breaks forming later in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare sun until later where a few sunny bursts may break out on low slopes. General haze, poor visibility in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C. Wind chill making it feel like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
At or just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 5th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 2nd Oct 25 at
4:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 45-55mph, up to 60mph over tops early. Shifting westerly and may ease somewhat for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions most of the day - bracing likely needed in exposure. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain increasingly frequent
Intermittent drizzly rain drifts from the west. Increasing in frequency and intensity later in the day, may set in for a few hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Fairly extensive above 800-900m at dawn, though some higher breaks well inland for a time. Cloud soon sets in extensively down to middle slopes with banks down to coastal cliff edges.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% east for a time, lowering to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun east and north for a few hours, increasingly limited by high cloud. Visibility soon turns poor in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C rising to 6C. Feeling like -10C in direct wind exposure.
Freezing Level
May just touch the highest summits at dawn, soon lifting above.
Planning Outlook
Storm Amy clears to the northeast on Saturday, behind which temperatures drop much cooler, to freezing on higher Scottish summits. Showery and windy conditions prevail through the day easing only gradually into Sunday as another mild and humid westerly brings cloud and drizzle to high tops and western slopes. Changeable westerlies continue into the week with frontal boundaries in northern England and Scotland: frequent rain and cloud on western mountains, rain at times passing eastward. Rain and cloud slip south through England and Wales around midweek, though weakening as it goes. Early indications of several days of northerly winds late in the week, which will bring cool, showery conditions to many with a mix of sunny and rainy spells with snow on northernmost tops.