The Northwest Highlands Forecast
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.)
Viewing Weather Forecast for Friday 22nd March 2019
Forecast last updated on Thursday 21st March 2019 at 4:36pm
Click here to access the PDF version of the forecast.
Click here to view low graphics format of the forecast.How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwest 60-80mph, veering westerly in the afternoon, and easing a little to between 40-60mph.
Effect of wind on you?
Walking widely very difficult through the morning with severe wind chill. Conditions easing a little in the afternoon.
How Wet? (Precipitation and its impact)
Rain in morning, then snow showers.
Frequent drizzle across western hills at dawn. A cold front will soon arrive from the west and bring steady rain across all parts during the morning; heavy on and near Skye. This rain will clear around lunchtime, perhaps finishing as snow tops. Snow showers following, rain below 500m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, breaks to tops behind cold front.
Cloud extensive across the hills from dawn, to low levels for several hours during rain. Then as rain clears in afternoon, bases lifting to 700-900m, with some higher breaks to tops forming away from the snow showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, lifting to 50% in afternoon.
Sunshine?
Air clarity (below cloud)
Occasional sunshine breaking through and visibility tending to improve as rain clears. Reduced again by showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C, dropping through day, perhaps abruptly to -1C or just below during afternoon. Feeling closer to -18C in exposure to strongest winds.
Freezing Level
Above summits, but dropping sharply to 700-800m by late afternoon.
Planning Outlook
All mountain areas of Britain from Saturday 23rd March 2019
Colder conditions over the weekend with freezing levels ranging between 700 and 1000m. Snow or hail showers focused on W Scotland, becoming increasingly frequent through Sunday when another swathe of gales will affect the Highlands. Drier elsewhere, with just a few showers; these mainly across the Lakes and E Scotland. Into next week, higher pressure will extend across the UK bringing a period of quieter weather with lighter winds and occasional sunshine. Temperatures slowly rising by day, although frosts forming in the valleys/glens at night. Weak fronts may edge into W Scotland at times introducing some low cloud and drizzle here for a time.
