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.
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.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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.
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.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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 30th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Oct 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy across Scottish mountains, gales on high tops most sustained toward west, where low cloud, patchy rain and drizzle will also occur. Drier and better cloud breaks inland and north of major hill groups. England & Wales starts with extensive fog mainly on low ground which tends to thin and break up.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales on tops. Rain and low cloud most persistent around Skye.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40 to 50mph, strongest coastal hills in morning, local gusts 60mph Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking over the hills or in places general mobility difficult and wind chill significant.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle, mainly near Skye
A front edging in from west brings frequent or persistent rain and drizzle to Skye and nearby mainland. Patchier rain northward, and very little much of Sutherland or eastern summits all day.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent near Skye, varied banks lowering elsewhere
Low cloud filling in from lower slopes up on Skye and nearby coastal slopes. Elsewhere, cloud confined to or above 900m with many summits cloud free - but tendency toward lowering cloud extending slowly from SW with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% near Skye; 60% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Dull and misty near Skye, whilst elsewhere, patchy sun and very good visibility ahead of a trend toward thickening cloud and in rain patches of mist.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 31st October 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Oct 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 25mph, to perhaps 30-35mph for a few hours, tending to lessen again later from west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but more noticeably blustery and affecting comfortable walking for periods on high terrain; marked chill.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle extensively
A broad swathe of rain and drizzle will move very little all day, draped across the region, heaviest in the morning on western mountains south of Wester Ross. Patchier smaller amounts Sutherland and near Ben Wyvis.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering most higher areas all day
Fog from lower slopes up near Skye and above 600 to 900m areas generally north and east of Torridon. An improvement may reach the west coast only toward dusk.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine and visibility often poor due to rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C, later tending to drop to 5C from west. Feeling just below 0C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 1st November 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Oct 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to northwesterly 15 to 20mph, locally 25mph far north summits at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but feeling chilly in exposure on higher tops.
How Wet?
Largely dry
An odd light shower possible near to northwest coasts, but most places dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Capping western tops
Cloud banks drifting onto western mountains mostly above 800-900m, some breaks, best inland. Some patchy mist lower down early in day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy west coastal areas, patchy sunshine inland and east. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, small variation with height from glens up early morning. Feeling like -5 to 7C in breeze on tops.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing on higher slopes all day, plus patchy frost in glens early morning.
Planning Outlook
High pressure will dominate the weather pattern through into the start of November bringing settled conditions. Broadly dry for a week or so, but some areas of misty dampness and regular fog on low ground, whilst many hills would be in the clear above an inversion, particularly in Scotland next week. Overnight frost in glens will be common, plus some frost pockets for sheltered high terrain, whilst many summits will stay often just above freezing point. Light winds for several days into next week for Scotland, but stronger easterlies are likely for England and particularly Wales which would push cloud banks higher up here during the week ahead.