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.)
Sunday's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
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.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
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.
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
Sunday 30th August 2026
Last updated
Sat 29th Aug 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Areas of rain and low cloud around many mountains. Some drier periods in the morning, but into afternoon increasingly widespread heavy downpours and thunderstorms develop. Fairly light winds for much of the Highlands, becoming breezier England, stronger winds on Welsh mountains.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Local rain, showery bursts develop, varied low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly, 5 to 15mph, speeds varying, often strongest near Skye, gusty at times elsewhere toward coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small, sudden gusts in showers.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, showery bursts form
Local rain and drizzle from dawn into the morning, may give some steadier falls of rain mainly Skye to Kintail areas, patchier or drier further north. By afternoon, local heavier showery bursts, particularly south, risk isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, extensive in rain
Shrouding high terrain at dawn, varied lower banks, locally into the glens where rain occurs. Some rise of base and local breaks likely best north of Torridon. Lowering widely again in heavier rain with ragged low patches.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 50% for a time
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, rare weak sun mainly toward the northwest. Visibility very good where dry, but reduced to poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, coolest toward north in morning, rising slightly to locally 10C afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 31st August 2026
Last updated
Sat 29th Aug 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable south turning southwesterly 10-20mph early morning, increasing 25-30mph, shifting westerly with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small to start, but increasingly blustery affecting ease of walking in exposure. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Showery rain much of the day, some drier moments, but rain fairly frequent over western hills. Some heavier bursts move east during afternoon, chance of thunder. Patchy rain returns from west into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest morning, often covering west tops
Fairly widespread to low elevations early in day. The base tending to rise but will come and go 800m in west, brief higher breaks. Further east clearing above 900-1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, brief glimpses of sun, locally more frequent sun near west coast late in day. Visibility good away from showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C tending to lower during day to 6C. Feeling near then just below freezing as wind increases.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Last updated
Sat 29th Aug 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 40mph, speeds may vary, risk of much stronger speeds over 50mph for part of the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking conditions, buffeting affecting balance on exposed ridges. Risk widely difficult. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Early rain then showers
A few hours of persistent rain from around dawn, breaking up into showers, these briefly heavy, may be well scattered.
Cloud on the hills?
Western tops mostly covered
Covering hills fairly widely above 600-800m at first. Bases rising with some breaks, but often capping west coast tops above 800-900m. Better breaks eastward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, mainly eastern areas. Visibility fairly good, though some haze in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C, coolest toward far northwest. Feeling like -5C in the wind, or colder if speeds rise.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A generally unsettled outlook during the first two weeks of September with frequent rain and strong winds. Low pressure dominates and a series of frontal systems move in from the Atlantic. West to southwesterlies, often gale force over the mountains in the second half of this week. Heavy rain most prolonged in the west where increasingly wet underfoot, streams rising to be in spate. Low cloud often covering the hills. Temperatures varying, some notably cooler days for Scotland, at times more humid air mainly toward the south.