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 Thursday 5th March 2015
Forecast last updated on Wednesday 4th March 2015 at 12:10pm
Click here to access the PDF version of the forecast.
Click here to view low graphics format of the forecast.Summary for all mountain areas
Windy, particularly Scotland, where severe upland gales across the Scottish Highlands. Low cloud will shroud most western mountains, and across the W & NW Highlands drizzle and rain will be widespread and snowmelt will accelerate across the Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe upland gales; very low cloud and rain.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing considerably with height to 50-70mph; although a slight easing from the northwest in the afternoon.
Effect of wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions and severe wind chill on higher areas.
How Wet?
Rain; snow higher tops later in day
Rain and drizzle soon extending southeast across region. The rain most persistent western mountains south from the Torridon area. Snow initially higher tops, and then again from northwest into the afternoon when as the rain clears, it briefly turns to snow above about 800m. Increasingly wet underfoot; streams rising.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; lowest base west
Widely shrouding the hills, from lower slopes up toward west coast, particularly south of Ullapool. Cloud base rising to around 600-800m well inland. From northwest well into afternoon, cloud base will lift.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%; rising toward northwest to 30% into afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun late in day from northwest. Widely foggy on higher areas. Visibility often reduced by rain or haze lower areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 3C; lowest at dawn and again from northwest before dusk. Will feel as cold as minus 16 Celsius directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900m, soon lifting above the summits. Will drop back to 900m from northwest well into the afternoon.
Planning Outlook
All mountain areas of Britain from Friday 6th March 2015
A change in weather pattern will bring extensive south or southwesterly winds to all mountain areas. There will be sustained thaw of lying snow - particularly into this weekend, leading to considerable snow loss across the Scottish Highlands. There will be extensive low cloud and rain focussed on western mountains over the next few days, although this may well clear the Scottish Highlands on Sunday. Through next week, rain bearing fronts will move slowly eastwards from time to time, but overall substantial fine weather.
