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.)
Thursday'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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Thursday 6th August 2026
Last updated
Wed 5th Aug 26 at
3:58PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Blustery with showers into Scotland and northern England in the morning; wind and rain easing, sun breaking out with time, mild high temperatures. Risk more frequent showers and strong wind in the Peak District through morning, improving afternoon. Rare early showers in Wales, cloud clearing most hills.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Morning showers fade, some inland summits clearing
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly, shifting west and later southwesterly; 10-20mph most of the day, strongest speeds north, where speeds approach 25-30mph over high tops early and late in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but affecting comfortable walking at times on some higher slopes early and later in the day and feeling distinctly chilly.
How Wet?
Early showers, drier window, then rain later
Showers in the morning, mostly affecting northwestern hills, tending to fade to become often dry. Later in the afternoon, some patchy rain and drizzle moving in from the west, increasingly persistent into evening/night.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting, breaks to tops, best chance south inland
Fairly extensive above 600-700m, lowest and most extensive towards northwest, soon lifting to around 900m Kintail and Ben Wyvis, and increasingly above. More often cloudy along the west coast, particularly northern areas, but breaks increasingly towards tops or above as well.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 40% west coast, 70% well inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun; more often cloudy along the west coast (particularly north) but sun increasingly breaking through here too. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising to 6 or 7C afternoon, mildest in the far south and staying elevated into night. Feeling below freezing where exposed to stronger wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 7th August 2026
Last updated
Wed 5th Aug 26 at
3:58PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-40mph at dawn, strongest north and strengthening, 45-50mph widely, may deteriorate further later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking from dawn, deteriorating to challenging conditions with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Frequent, or persistent rain, particularly west coast, heavy falls come and go. Best chance of lighter falls with breaks to the east. Late in the day, may become lighter and patchier from the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Hills widely shrouded to middle slopes in the morning, to lower slopes along the west coast with ragged patches into glens. A lifting trend though any breaks above 800-900m isolated to far eastern areas; varied lower banks in the west as well, extensive Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine unlikely. Poor visibility in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, rising slightly, up to 9C Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross. Feeling like -5C in strongest wind, or colder far north.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 8th August 2026
Last updated
Wed 5th Aug 26 at
3:58PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50-65mph, stronger gusts over high tops. May lessen later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions widely with significant wind chill; you will struggle to remain upright in exposure.
How Wet?
Persistent rain west, spreading widely
Frequent or persistent falls along western Munros most or all day, heavy falls common, and likely spreading widely afternoon; rain rarely ceases Skye and nearby and becoming wet underfoot.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Western Munros shrouded all day above 400-500m, often lower during heavy rain, patches to forest canopies; persistently low Skye. A few breaks eastward to 700-800m out of rain, but filling in as rain spreads more widely.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few early bright glimpses, becoming overcast and dull with poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, may rise slightly, feeling humid. Feeling like -5 to -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds prevail into the weekend and further weather fronts will come in off the Atlantic, bringing rain and low cloud to most mountains. Saturday into Sunday in particular will see extensive cloud and heavy rain across Scotland with strong wind, bands of rain passing to the south and east into England and Wales. A ridge of high pressure returns early next week for warmer temperatures and clearer hills, though western Scotland likely remains fairly cloudy with some drizzle on the high tops. Following this high pressure, west-southwesterly flow returns and a series of low pressure systems will pass west-to-east across the British Isles with periods of strong wind (sometimes gale-force), rain, and low cloud, western hill groups aways most affected. Unsettled conditions likely persist into next weekend.