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
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 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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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 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
Saturday 22nd August 2026
Last updated
Fri 21st Aug 26 at
3:54PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cloud clings to northwest Scotland slopes, a little drizzle. Cloud clears most other Munros, varied banks over highest summits. Rare showers in England but most hills dry, morning cloud lifting off summits with patchy sunshine. Early showers in north and west Wales will clear for patchy sun as well.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Cloud and some drizzle, most west; chilly breeze far north
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15-25mph, notably stronger speeds over high terrain northern terrain with some gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in places; strongest wind over tops affecting ease of walking with a distinct chilly feeling in the north.
How Wet?
Some drizzle and light rain
Fine drizzle affects high terrain on-and-off, mostly towards the west coast. A few light spots of rain may drift from off the sea as well, but infrequently. Substantially dry towards the east.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Most hills shrouded from 700-800m up in the morning, lowest bases west coast, locally below 500m Skye and nearby. A slight lifting trend, a few breaks towards summit height around Easter Ross; breaks above 700m rare along the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few sunny glimpses in the east, and sometimes on low slopes towards the west, but more often overcast, poor visibility on high terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C rising to 7C. Feeling below freezing on exposed northern tops in the morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 23rd August 2026
Last updated
Fri 21st Aug 26 at
3:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 20-30mph, strongest north in the morning, and lessening in the south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though breezes affect comfort of walking on high terrain in the north in the morning and feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Drizzly west, fading
From dawn, drizzly on west coastal slopes, reaching quite low at first, but gradually isolating to higher areas and mostly fading with time. Eastern Munros largely dry all day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Coastal slopes shrouded from 600-700m upward most of the day, lower in the morning, locally to low slopes/glens. Starting extensive east as well, bases approaching 900-1000m Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun break out far east, but otherwise overcast, dull near the coast with poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, locally rising a degree east. Feeling near or below freezing in strongest wind to the north.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 24th August 2026
Last updated
Fri 21st Aug 26 at
3:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 10-15mph in the morning, shifting southerly and strengthening, approaching 20-25mph over tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, though becoming noticeably breezy over tops later, particularly towards the west.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little expected
Banks of cloud at varied heights to start, mostly low slopes and into glens. Lifting, to break off most summits, though a few cloud caps may drift over the high Cuillin summits for a time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, a little high cloud around, and afternoon fair weather cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 10C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A core of high pressure drifts over the country on Sunday, bringing light and varied wind, dry weather, and minimal hill cloud fairly widely. Northwest Scotland will see a westerly breeze with a little drizzle and lingering hill cloud. It will feel warm in England and Wales in the sunshine, but fair weather cloud will tend to build in the afternoon. Monday is settled too, but high pressure slips away to the northwest, facilitating a southeasterly wind into Wales, later more widely. Tuesday sees a return of low pressure from the south: temperatures will rise and patchy rain will increasingly spread northward with some local stronger wind. Conditions likely continue to unsettle as next weekend approaches with bands of heavy rain forming, varied conditions continuing through the weekend, and likely staying warm and somewhat humid.