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.)
Today'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.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C 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.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C 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
Tuesday 8th July 2025
Last updated
Mon 7th Jul 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A bright and sunny morning particularly in the east, then thickening cloud will lower across Scottish mountains from the west, with rain and drizzle developing, persistent in west; wind also increasing. England & Wales sees sunshine then high cloud, lowering onto tops by evening with a little rain arriving.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Patchy cloud, then rain and lowering cloud, increasing wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 10-15mph morning, rising from west, during afternoon to 25mph, at times 30mph northern areas toward evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small morning, becoming more noticeable, starting to affect balance on exposed ridges afternoon-evening.
How Wet?
Afternoon patchy rain and drizzle
Patchy rain arrives onto Skye around midday, pushing inland and northward along the coast afternoon. Becoming persistently drizzly on coastal slopes, though small rainfall totals. Only local spots on eastern slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Well broken for a time, later deteriorating
Banks cling to upper slopes from morning, particularly north/west aspects. Tending to lift, clearing summits at times around midday. Patchy cloud reforming over high ground as rain starts, filling in through afternoon from the west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Improving to 70%, then reducing to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun through high cloud on low slopes, deteriorating to mostly cloudy. Very good visibility before rain sets in, then poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, rising to 9C Skye and coastal slopes. Well inland areas rising up to 11C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 9th July 2025
Last updated
Mon 7th Jul 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 20 to 30mph, may reach 35mph tops near/north of Ullapool.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery on exposed terrain, starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on ridges. Feeling quite cool.
How Wet?
Damp in west, light rain
Drizzly much of the day west coastal mountains, particularly Skye, some steady light rain for periods, making rock surfaces slippery. Patchier drizzle eastern areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest west
Blanket low cloud throughout the day western mountains, often to lower elevations coastal slopes. Cloud base around 600m inland, to 800m further east with breaks on hills facing North Sea.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and misty, poor visibility in west. Glimpses of sun toward Moray Firth, good visibility below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C rising to 10C, humid. Feeling near to freezing directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 10th July 2025
Last updated
Mon 7th Jul 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 40mph, strongest on west coastal mountains, particularly northern areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Making walking uncomfortable and challenging balance on exposed ridges. Buffeting gusts through passes.
How Wet?
Often damp toward west
A little drizzly rain western coastal areas, most common on Skye, amounts small, but may persist; rock surfaces remain slippery. An odd drizzly shower moves inland across Sutherland.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, very low west
Blanket low cloud, likely to persist from lower elevations upward near west coast. Cloud base 500-600m well inland, some breaks to 800m easternmost hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Staying overcast and misty in west, poor visibility. Brighter toward east coast, good visibility below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 10C, little change all day, locally up to 12C Ben Wyvis area. Feeling near to freezing directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A humid southwesterly wind during midweek produces extensive low cloud across west and northwest Scotland with some drizzly rain. Drier with sun and broken cloud in eastern Scotland, improving in southern areas. High pressure expanding over England and Wales brings more sunshine and draws in increasingly very warm air again in the later part of this week; higher temperatures and more sunshine extending into Scotland with time. A fine and very warm weekend in prospect, low risk of thundery showers forming toward the west. Cooler with a greater risk of showers early next week.