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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Monday 15th September 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Sep 25 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain likely persistent for the northern Highlands, at times heavy. Showery rain elsewhere over Scotland, may cluster locally into areas of more frequent rain. Wind variable for Highlands, but likely increasing. Westerly gales over hills in England, severe on tops in Wales, and raining most of the day.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Areas of constant rain, low cloud. Variable wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
In northern areas, easterly 35-45mph around and before dawn, but much lower speeds on/near Skye. Trending northeast then northerly with time, in range 20-35mph, speeds variable, sometimes lower inland near Kintail.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small effect particularly more inland mountains, but variable through the day; occasionally feeling more noticeably blustery on exposed ridges and coastal hills. Poorest conditions likely toward north.
How Wet?
Rain and showers, sometimes persistent
Often raining across many mountains, most persistent further north and east in the morning, some heavy rain. May be patchy toward Skye for a few hours. Areas of rain and showers likely to push across all areas through afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Covering the mountains extensively around rain, widely above 600-800m, often to lower elevations around coasts, particularly in the north. If drier for periods, some breaks forming higher up, but rarely sustained.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Visibility sometimes poor due to rain, occasional improvements.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C. Feeling below freezing where exposed to wind, -5C in stronger speeds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 16th September 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Sep 25 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 30 to 40mph, will tend to moderate gradually into the afternoon toward 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very blustery in the morning with arduous conditions and significant wind chill. Conditions easing into afternoon.
How Wet?
Clusters of showers
Showers drifting onto coastal hills from northwest, more frequent and widespread at times, mainly more northern areas in the afternoon, some heavier bursts.
Cloud on the hills?
Rising bases, but persistent near coast.
Fairly extensive banks from dawn, but varying bases 600-900m. Gradual rise in bases toward tops, but may persist 800-900m toward west coast up to Ben Hope.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% lifting to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloudy start, mix of cloud and sunny intervals toward and into afternoon. Visibility improving to become mostly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C. Feeling below freezing in the wind, at times nearer -5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 17th September 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Sep 25 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Uncertainty as a complex weather system approaches: East or southeasterly, likely 20-30mph, chance of becoming gales.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect blustery conditions, affecting ease of walking and balance on ridges, but beware possibly deteriorating further.
How Wet?
Possibly only patchy light rain
Risk of rain on and off throughout the day, potentially steady rain lasting a few hours in places. But a reasonable chance that rain is only patchy and some areas may escape drier.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied around rain
Cloud banks covering some slopes frequently, more extensive if rain occurs. If the day is drier, cloud bases higher and more broken, tops may be clearer.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun through high cloud. Visibility very good if dry, reduced to poor if areas of rain develop.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C. Feeling sub-zero in the wind, -5C or below if speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
An ongoing unsettled outlook generally dominated by low pressure. Uncertainty about the track of a developing low into midweek, a risk of further extensive rain and gales, though the worst of these conditions may be confined to England and Wales. Areas of rain and showers frequently in the forecast later in the week. Temperatures near-average, but feeling cool when exposed to wind. A chillier northwesterly may emerge by next weekend, briefly dropping near freezing on highest Scottish tops. Indications then favour higher pressure at least briefly expanding northwards early next week for some drier days, but unlikely to settle down for long.