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.)
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate 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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 16th April 2026
Last updated
Wed 15th Apr 26 at
4:06PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Dawn gales over summits of south Scotland and north England, strongest wind moving north, but staying breezy in northern parts of England and Wales. Showers for many in the morning, soon easing with sun breaks, but remaining frequent with heavy bursts in west Scotland; some rain approaches Wales later afternoon.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Frequent showers, mostly south, easing later; increasingly windy
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-30mph from dawn, some lighter speeds in the early morning to the north. Generally strengthening, top speeds approaching 45mph over highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking becomes arduous in exposure with frequent buffeting gusts and significant wind chill, locally more challenging along the coast later in the day.
How Wet?
Showers, most frequent south, later easing somewhat
Frequent showers south of Ullapool most of the day, more scattered to the far north, though occasionally more frequent, notably in the morning. A few heavy bursts likely. An easing trend later but always a risk of showers during daylight. Patchy rain from the southwest overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, most extensive south
Cloud shrouds high terrain at dawn, variable bases 600-900m, lowest south, locally 300-500m southern aspects on and around Skye. A lifting trend with some breaks, though staying variable early, an increasing chance of clear summit to the north through afternoon. Least breaks Skye/Torridon, bases rarely above 700-800m until later
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 50% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy in the morning, a few glimpses of sun, with more extended bursts breaking out in the north with time. Variable visibility, excellent out of rain but suddenly very poor during showers, poorest south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising to 3 or 4C, mildest temperatures always to the east, and locally around Ben Hope too. Feeling like -8 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Just touching highest tops at dawn, soon lifting above all summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 17th April 2026
Last updated
Wed 15th Apr 26 at
4:06PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30-45mph, some variability, strongest west and strengthening, to 60mph Skye later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking often arduous in exposure with considerable wind chill, increasingly difficult along the west coast.
How Wet?
Rain/showers south, more scattered north
Showery rain across all Munros from morning, more persistent and heavy for several hours southern areas. Breaking into showers from noon, most scattered north, sometimes more frequent with heavy bursts.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, lowest south, afternoon breaks
High tops in cloud through morning, variable bases between 600-900m, or lower as rain sets in and with ragged patches forming to lower slopes, lowest south. Through afternoon, higher breaks, perhaps to summits inland north, though unlikely Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, rising to 40% afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy and often dull in rain morning with poor visibility. Sunny bursts later, best north and east, with very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C, mildest in the north. Notably cooling late in the day into night. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 18th April 2026
Last updated
Wed 15th Apr 26 at
4:06PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph, risk stronger in north early morning, tending to drop toward 25mph afternoon, but gusty in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery conditions affecting comfortable walking in exposure, some buffeting, likely improving. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, hail, snow higher tops
Showery rain on and off throughout the day, most frequent western mountains, although fairly widespread by afternoon. Some hail, also snow falling on the Munros, later toward 700-800m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying over tops
Covering higher slopes fairly widely, typically 700-900m in morning, some breaks higher up, lower patches in showers; base rising during the day, but frequently capping west coastal tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly east in morning, some sun more often in west later in day. Visibility varying, at times very good, but poor during showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, slight drop from late afternoon. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind, nearer -15C early in day northern tops.
Freezing Level
1000m or above, falling a little later in the daytime.
Planning Outlook
Friday stays windy with a band of rain passing east across the British Isles. A settling trend begins on Saturday, showers lingering in western areas, then the most settled conditions of the weekend on Sunday. Light or even negligible wind by Sunday with cool-to-mild temperatures, though perhaps on the chillier side in Scotland. The stronger sunshine will feel mild despite chiller temperatures. More certainty regarding a dominance of high pressure next week: a mix of cloud and sun, often dry, and cool temperatures. Greatest chance of scattered showers in eastern areas, more cloud here, and some low fog in the mornings as well. Easterly wind at times quite blustery and gusty in England and Wales, generally lighter Scotland.