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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
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
Friday 11th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 10th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fresh westerly winds will be strongest in northern Scotland, speeds lessening a little during the day, but feeling cool in exposure on tops. Light showers mainly in western Scotland tends to fade. Cloud often capping western tops, breaks forming higher with time; clearer hills toward east.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Brisk winds, feeling chilly. Light showers and cloud in west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly shifting southwesterly afternoon, 25 to 35mph, strongest near and north of Ullapool; slightly lessening during but staying gusty. Rising rapidly onward into night to 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ease of walking impacted on high tops, some buffeting gusts. A chilly feeling. Deteriorating into night to severe gales on the mountains.
How Wet?
A little rain and drizzle, fading
Spotty rain drifts from the west from dawn, a little drizzle over high western tops, gradually easing, largely dry by afternoon. Rain develops into night, some heavy in west around Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Clinging to western summits
A layer of cloud fairly widely above 800-900m to start, lower bases west, ragged patches towards lower slopes. A lifting trend, cloud tending to break up, best Easter Ross. Cloud will continue to roll over high tops, may often cap the Cuillin through the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Gradually rising towards 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun breaking out. Good visibility but a building haze west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, locally rising a degree inland. Feeling like -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 12th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 10th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 60 to 70mph from dawn, lessening gradually during day to 30-40mph afternoon, 20-25mph evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions with powerful gusts to low levels early in day, moderating, but remaining challenging; notable chill.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle mostly west, eases
Heavy rain from before dawn, breaking up into rain on and off, most persistent in western areas with frequent drizzle. Drier windows more often eastwards. May tend to become more widely drier afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, some improvement
Blanket cloud across the hills in early rain, some rise of base, but fairly persistent over higher slopes. Best of breaks toward north and east in afternoon, rare to high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through. Hazy, but visibility better as rain clears.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, briefly 9 or 10C in morning. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 13th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 10th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West turning southwesterly 15 to 20mph most of day, then rising toward evening, reaching 35-40mph into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small during daytime, deteriorating mainly after dark.
How Wet?
Rare light rain
An odd patch of light rain or brief shower, mainly in north at first, but largely dry. Late evening into night, rain sweeps in from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches lifting and clearing
Patchy cloud around mid to upper slopes from dawn into morning, possibly mist at first some sheltered glens. Some high tops may start between or just above some cloud banks. Tending to thin and break up during day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable sunshine and cloud. Early slight haze, then visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising to 7C during day, tending to rise slightly further into evening and night.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Changeable west-southwesterlies prevail through mid September; often windy, gale-force winds for periods over higher terrain. An active frontal system sweeps southeastward on Saturday with a sustained fall of rain, accompanied by upland gales for most places. Improving for better weather on Sunday, then wind and rain returns into Monday, staying showery into Tuesday. A mixed outlook likely continues later next week with rain most frequent in western Scotland. Temperatures varying, some cooler days especially in Scotland, but often fairly mild further south, at times quite warm and humid.