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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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 2nd October 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Oct 26 at
3:22PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Continuing mild, but gales - or in the north severe gales on many mountains - will make it feel cold due to wind chill. A weakening front will bring a little rain eastwards before a further front brings heavier rain in from the southwest later in the day.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Deteriorating: upland gales becoming severe; rain.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, strongest winds toward coast, in morning ranging from 30-40mph across region. In afternoon progressively strengthening to 40-55mph, but 60mph higher western summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly difficult conditions, particularly western mountains, where into afternoon mobility where exposed very strenuous and wind chill becoming severe.
How Wet?
Increasingly wet afternoon, particularly more southern mountains
Rain on and off at dawn will clear most areas for a few hours, though still patches east from Skye to summits near Great Glen, where in afternoon the rain will set in. Elsewhere, rain returning, but 'on and off' through afternoon. Very little north of Ullapool.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive generally; highest cloud base toward and north of Ullapool
Fog persistent on and near Skye all day above 300-500m and 450-600m east toward Great Glen. Will lower further in rain. Elsewhere, in rain patches below 600m, but often 750-900m. perhaps 1050m Ben Wyvis. Near/north of Ullapool hills often cloud free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% south to 70% toward and north of Ullapool.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly toward and north of Ullapool. Intermittently poor visibility, especially southern mountains east from Skye. Often excellent more northern areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C, but increasingly feeling as cold as minus 8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 3rd October 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Oct 26 at
3:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southwesterly 25-35mph, strengthening toward 40 or 45mph evening, further rising.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure with notable wind chill, deteriorating to challenging conditions into night.
How Wet?
Showers, temporarily the rain frequent
Showers from time to time, although the hint of the rain frequent over an hour or so.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, higher cloud base progressively eastwards
Cloud base will vary as rain comes and goes, sometimes below 400m mainly within 10 miles of the west coast, where only occasionally reaching 750m. Further eastwards, by midday, most cloud above 650m with breaks to 900m, perhaps 1050m Ben Wyvis area.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly lower slopes well inland from west coast. Hazy and sometimes poor visibility western hills. Mostly very good visibility well inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, rising a degree Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross. Feeling like -5C, later -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 4th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Oct 26 at
3:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 50-60mph on higher exposed areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking extensively difficult. Any mobility may be a challenge in places.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain, mainly western hills.
Curtains of drizzly rain coming in off the sea onto Skye and penetrating 10-20 miles inland, although generally confined to near the west coast toward and north of Ullapool. Elsewhere, drizzly rain now and again.
Cloud on the hills?
Foggy across nearly all mountains all day
Persistent low cloud penetrating inland from about dawn will persist all day, forming on some coastal cliffs and inland from just above valleys. Well inland (and away from immediate west coast in north) most cloud above 600m, sometimes higher easternmost hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine may come through lower slopes toward Ben Wyvis, where visibility good. Elsewhere, often misty.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C. Will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain at some stage more or less daily on most mountain areas through the coming week. However, frequently dry E & S Wales and S Pennines. Frequently windy Scottish Highlands, whilst progressively further south, periods of strong winds will be increasingly infrequent. A hint of a brief period of much colder weather around the middle of next week.