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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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
Sunday 9th August 2026
Last updated
Sat 8th Aug 26 at
2:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A cold front, bringing rain and low cloud will progress only slowly southeast into central Britain. To the north, drizzly showers and low cloud will affect western mountains (mainly NW Highlands) whilst to the south mostly sunny and very warm.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland wind near gales, particularly north. Low cloud; drizzly.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, ranging from 25mph Skye to 30mph on nearby mainland summits. Progressively northwards stronger wind, typically 40mph Sutherland. Tendency for strongest wind to be late afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking with notable wind chill and buffeting gusts, particularly Sutherland.
How Wet?
Drizzly showers
Drizzly rain on and off, sometimes frequent particularly within 10 miles or so of the general lie off the coast. Very wet underfoot western mountains after previous rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent on higher areas; lowest cloud base toward coast
Cloud base typically between 300 and 500m within a few miles of west facing coasts, lowest near rain. Inland base will rise, from midday may reach 700 to 900m easternmost slopes (from summits close to Great Glen north to Ben Wyvis).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, mainly eastern lower slopes and valleys. Varied visibility, often good but poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Feeling near or below freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 10th August 2026
Last updated
Sat 8th Aug 26 at
2:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15 to in Sutherland 25mph, dropping to very low speeds by afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Well scattered showers
Here and there a brief shower; not heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Confined to higher tops
By late morning, cloud rare below 1000m, although within a few miles of the coast there may be patches near 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun - perhaps through areas of high level cloud. Excellent or increasingly superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, rising a degree or so near the coast, but to 11C well inland.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 11th August 2026
Last updated
Sat 8th Aug 26 at
2:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15mph, although 20mph westernmost summits near Skye and perhaps 25mph Cuillins.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small, although gusty conditions near Skye could well impact ease of balance.
How Wet?
Rain not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Very unlikely
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
More or less unbroken sunshine although sometimes through high thin cloud. Superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 14C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Extensively fine and warm until Wednesday. The almost completely dry and warm weather will then persist across England and Wales - although sometimes a little rain and low cloud toward Cumbria. Underfoot conditions will remain exceptionally dry. Scotland, especially the W& NW Highlands, will have intermittent rain and low cloud - although probably still one or two fairly brief dry periods.