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.)
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 20th September 2021
Last updated
Sun 19th Sep 21 at
3:49PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Low cloud and generally damp conditions will affect western Scotland. Total rainfall small, although some steadier rain will develop as a front moves in. SW'ly winds strongest in the far north. Elsewhere a fine day with broken cloud and sun, some early fog patches.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Generally damp, low cloud in west; breaks toward east. Windy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 20 to 30mph southern hills, but 25 to 35mph north of Ullapool, up to 40mph for a time Ben Hope; typically strongest middle of day and early afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasing buffeting on higher areas, particularly far north, locally walking arduous at times higher tops. Notable wind chill where exposed.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain focused west
Light rain and drizzle concentrated on western coastal hills, frequently damp much of the day. Total rainfall small, but some steadier rain possible over an hour or so in west by middle of day and afternoon. Patchier rain further east, very little toward Moray Firth.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly persistent west coast, lowering inland
On and near Skye, cloud likely to blanket the hills much of the day, forming to lower slopes in constant rain. Tending to increasingly fill in across much of the west coast during morning, but higher cloud bases inland, with breaks to 800m, or above toward east. Cloud generally tending to lower in most areas through the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% Skye and west coast; 40% well inland and east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy in west, occasional sun toward east. Visibility good toward east, but mistier toward west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Feeling close to freezing where directly in the wind on higher northern tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 21st September 2021
Last updated
Sun 19th Sep 21 at
3:49PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening through day, soon 30 to 40mph, reaching 50 or 60mph, strongest northern summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked increase of speed with height, walking arduous or difficult on hills, plus powerful gusts into passes & corries.
How Wet?
Generally wet on western hills
Although total rainfall is likely to be fairly small, risk of near constant moisture spilling onto western hills, some steadier rain possible. Further east, just spots in the wind.
Cloud on the hills?
Low cloud focused near west coast
Blanket low cloud may well shroud mountains on Skye and near west coast throughout the day, often to lower slopes. Further east, cloud higher and more broken. Some improvements possible, but filling in widely later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% west, 50% near Great Glen.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun around Skye, but breaking through at times further east & north. A general haze, risk often murky Skye; fairly good visibility toward Moray coasts.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C if in cloud, otherwise around 10C; only small change with increasing height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Last updated
Sun 19th Sep 21 at
3:49PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest may turn westerly, 60-70mph up to and around dawn, but likely easing, typically between 25 and 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Stormy conditions at first are likely to lessen, but expect arduous walking conditions and marked wind chill most of the day.
How Wet?
Showery
A belt of heavy overnight rain is likely to soon clear southwards, but followed by frequent showery rain, becoming almost constant at times on western hills. Drier toward Moray Firth.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive on higher terrain
Extensive cloud at various levels across the hills at first, tending to lift and break toward higher slopes, but is likely to cover most summits frequently through the day, bases varied in and out of rain. Best breaks toward eastern summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly Sutherland. Visibility fairly good away from rain, but a general slight haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
May start at 8C, but soon lowering toward 4 or 5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but by dusk will have dropped closer to highest tops (around 1400m).
Planning Outlook
High pressure will drift southwards and southwesterly winds will strengthen across Britain in the first half of the week, soonest across Scotland. Staying windy through into next weekend, gales or sometimes severe gales on higher mountains, particularly Scotland. Rain will become frequent in western Scotland as fronts come in from the Atlantic. Spells of rain elsewhere - less wet for Wales and southern Pennines, although a risk of heavier rain moving further south by the weekend. Temperatures will vary through the next 10 days, sometimes fairly warm and humid, but chiller air spreading from the northwest at times - Scottish high tops occasionally near freezing point.