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.)
Saturday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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
Saturday 19th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 18th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Challenging conditions over high terrain with gale-force winds extensive; feeling notably cold in exposure. Showery rain, most frequent western Scotland. Persistent rain for Wales tends to clear southward and the strongest winds will lessen here.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales on mountains all day; often raining, heavier bursts.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, powerful squally gusts around showers; increasing further during day, more often 60mph on higher mountains, especially north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions, balance frequently challenged on high exposed terrain, gusts may knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain west
Showery all day on western mountains, rain rarely fully ceasing for long, a mix of drizzle and some heavier bursts with occasional hail. Smaller amounts of rain reaching eastern hills. Chance isolated thunder in heavier showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher areas
Often covering western mountains above 700-800m, some patches to 600m or lower in rain near coast. Brief breaks higher up inland. Bases higher eastwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun, more common east. Hazy west, at times poor visibility in rain, better eastwards, good where dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, trending slightly cooler later in the daytime. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 20th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 18th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 50mph in the morning, tending to lessen gradually to 30-40mph, remaining strongest on northern mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, difficult on higher exposed slopes in morning, significant wind chill; moderating gradually.
How Wet?
Rain on and off, fading
Showery rain over western mountains in the morning, brief scattered showers further east. Tending to fade to become drier, but odd light showers come and go. Rain returns from west into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent coastal tops
Banks of cloud above 600-800m in the morning, lowest on west coastal hills. Tending to rise and break higher with time, but patches likely come and go above 800-900m near west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, some sun breaking through with time. West coastal haze, visibility very good inland and east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, little change all day, then tending to rise onward into night. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 21st September 2026
Last updated
Fri 18th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 35 to 45mph, very gusty in places, the strongest gusts not confined to highest summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very blustery, affecting ease of walking and knocking you off balance, sudden buffeting gusts in some passes and downslope.
How Wet?
Rain then drizzle
Steady rain widely for a time early in the day, easing and becoming patchier light rain, but staying generally drizzly over western hills all day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, very low west
Blanket cloud across the hills, foggy from lower elevations upward near the west coast likely all day. Some breaks may emerge at varied levels further inland and east, but rarely clearing any summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun unlikely, misty poor visibility widely, hazy even below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 to 12C, small change with added height and little change into night; quite humid, but still feeling near 0C if directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Improving on Sunday as gale-force winds on Scottish mountains gradually lessen and showers become fewer. Warm and humid into early next week, on Monday extensive low cloud and drizzly rain particularly in the west. High pressure to the south will generally dominate the extended outlook particularly for England & Wales with more often drier and warmer conditions through late September into early October. Fine weather likely extends across Scotland for periods too, but a more changeable autumnal mix may continue especially further northwest with rain and stronger winds at times.