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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
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 26th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 25th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong southwesterly winds, gale-force on Scottish mountains, strengthening in the west. Showery rain and cloud banks in western Scotland, patchy rain extending inland. A little rain in the wind at times and some cloud on western hills of England and Wales, more often dry and less wind further south.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strengthening gales; showery rain and cloud on western hills.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 50mph, trending higher from the west during the day, widely at least 50mph afternoon, gusting 60mph west coast and particularly Skye, more sustained toward evening and onward into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking conditions, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance on exposed terrain, increasingly difficult on western mountains during afternoon; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off west
Showery rain most frequent over western mountains, some steadier rain for periods on Skye and coastal areas near Torridon, tending to become more often wet later in day. More often dry much of day toward Ben Wyvis.
Cloud on the hills?
Often capping western tops
Frequently covering hills above 800m in west, some lower patches at times near coast and Skye. More often above 900-1000m further inland/east, some breaks to tops, but also more broadly over high terrain for a few afternoon hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly eastern areas; more generally cloudy afternoon. Visibility very good where dry and out of cloud, hazier toward Skye, reduced in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C through morning, rising up to 8C afternoon, little change into night. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 27th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 25th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40-60mph, powerful gusts in morning. Will lessen during afternoon and shift southwesterly 25-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions well into the day with significant wind chill. Effects will lessen later but remaining blustery.
How Wet?
Rain becomes persistent and heavy
Patchy rain Skye and west coast through morning, dry windows north and east, but a band of persistent rain arrives from the west, setting in for several hours with a swathe of torrential rain. Breaking up somewhat later.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy on tops, more extensive afternoon
Varied above 700m on and around Skye early, more broken north and east and may break up more briefly. A band of low cloud sweeps in from the west, bases as low as 400-500m west coast briefly, tending to break up again. Always highest bases near/north Ben Wyvis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, to 20% for several hours
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun to start, becoming overcast well into afternoon, may later break. Very good visibility before cloud and rain arrive.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, may rise a degree Ben Wyvis and northward, later lowering to 5C. Feeling like 0 to -3C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 28th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 25th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 25 to 35mph, strongest near the west coast and on Skye, tending to lessen in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and affecting ease of walking and balance on exposed west coast ridges, some gusty spots; feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Showers mostly toward Skye
Showery rain most frequent on Skye and nearby coast up to Torridon, odd brief heavier moments. A few showers may graze west coasts further north at times. Often dry further inland, north and east.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly coastal mountains near Skye
Banks of cloud most persistent around Skye above 800m, some lower patches on southern slopes in rain. Capping higher slopes near west coast elsewhere at times, but breaks inland and east above 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Skye, to 60% inland/east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy west coast and slight haze, some glimpses of sun. Occasional sun more often toward the east, where visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising 7C. Feeling like -2 to -5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A changeable prospect during the week ahead. Sunday sees extensive rain moving in from the west with heavy bursts, accompanied by powerful southerly winds. Improving for many places into Monday as higher pressure expands in from the south, but showers and brisk winds continue toward northwest Scotland. Strong southeasterly winds by Tuesday, widely gales on mountains with turbulent downslope gusts toward the west; a risk of rain developing from the south during the day, becoming heavy later. Blustery south-southwesterlies into Wednesday and Thursday, showery in the west. Higher pressure tends to expand further north again into early October. Mostly mild temperatures.