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.)
Tuesday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Oct 26 at
3:40PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly in Scotland, blustery showers northwest with hail, snow on summits. Showers well-scattered elsewhere, regular sun breaks. Patchy rain, drizzle, and low cloud affect England and Wales most of the day; some areas of east Wales see windows of cloud breaks and good visibility.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Chilly and blustery; showers will hail, snow on tops
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly between 20 and 30mph, strongest Sutherland, and may lessen in the south. Sudden strong gusts around showers, reaching 35-40mph in the north early.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery on the high tops in the north, buffeting gusts beginning to challenge stability, particularly early, when wind chill will be significant.
How Wet?
Showers with hail, snow on high terrain
Succession of hail and showers, falling as snow above 900m; some heavy and squally bursts mainly Wester Ross and Skye, pushing further inland afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently covering higher slopes; forming lower down near precipitation.
Near showers, shafts of cloud below 600-700m, perhaps temporarily 400m, mainly near the coast. Otherwise cloud base 700 to occasionally 900m, some breaks reaching high tops during dry windows, particularly towards the east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine. Very varied visibility; often good, but abruptly very poor, temporarily appalling on high tops in snow, and some haze along the west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, but will feel as cold as minus 8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Oct 26 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West veering northwesterly in the range 20 to perhaps 30mph - particularly gusty near precipitaion.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but ease of walking and balance sometimes difficult near showers. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow; risk lightning
Hail and showers, sometimes one after another or giving almost constant precipitation over an hour or so. Likely falling as snow above 800-900m.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost continually covering higher areas
Rare breaks above 750-900m, best chance well inland. But near precipitation shafts of cloud below 400m, perhaps sometimes lower within 10 miles or so of the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly only easternmost areas. Visibility sometimes appalling in snow, but temporarily very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C; will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 8th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Oct 26 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly shifting southwesterly, mostly 10-20mph, rising afternoon towards 40mph by evening, further rising.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but becoming blustery through afternoon, deteriorating overnight.
How Wet?
Early showers, then rain arrives afternoon
A few early light showers mostly northern coastal areas, these fading for several dry hours. Through afternoon, rain arrives onto Skye and spreads widely, setting in persistently with heavy falls.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high terrain
Cloud will come and go above 600-700m in the morning, breaks between showers increasingly off the high tops, and little cloud towards Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross. From later afternoon, cloud fills in over the Cuillin, increasingly widely into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some early bright sunshine, high cloud soon building, increasingly thickening. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, slight rise, but later a sharp rise to 8C or higher for a few overnight hours.
Freezing Level
Just on the high tops at dawn, some frosts in sheltered glens, lifting above tops as the day goes.
Planning Outlook
A brief colder period with the wind easing on Wednesday and Thursday with bright sun breaking out - some snow showers will affect high terrain in Scotland, some hail mixed in as well. Westerly wind returns as Thursday goes, bringing bands of rain, low cloud and strong upland winds across Britain. Saturday remains blustery and showery but with bright breaks forming, and then Sunday sees a more settled day as a small area of high pressure builds in from the south. The following week looked mixed with bands of rain coming and going, punctuated by regions of high pressure, but typically on the cloudy side. Generally mild temperatures.