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.)
Today'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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 4th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Nov 25 at
7:20AM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong to gale-force south to south-westerly winds bringing frequent rainfall and extensive hill fog once more, especially across England and Wales, and into western and southern parts of Scotland. Drier, with the best cloud breaks, towards north Highland and northern Cairngorm NP.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Wet, low cloud west/south. Good breaks north. Gales easing.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to higher up southwesterly 40 to perhaps 50mph for a time. Easing down to 25 to 35mph in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued difficult conditions in morning where exposed on higher areas, where wind chill significant and walking a struggle. Easing into afternoon.
How Wet?
Wet in west and Skye. Drier in north and east.
Rain or frequent showers most or all day into western mountains and Skye. Very wet underfoot and streams in spate south from Wester Ross. Mainly just spits and spots downwind into Ben Hope and Ben Wyvis areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive in west and south, good breaks in north.
Widely persistent fog in west and south, above 400 to 700m. Up towards Ben Hope and east to Ben Wyvis, bases well broken and mostly confined above 800-900m with clearances likely at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% on and near Skye. 60% toward Ben Hope and Wyvis.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly lower slopes north from Ullapool and toward Ben Wyvis. Otherwise, mostly dull and misty western mountains Wester Ross southward.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C. Will feel as cold as minus 6C directly in the wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 5th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Nov 25 at
7:20AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Expect variable wind directions, but may turn more northeasterly 15 to 25mph later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Early patches of rain, fizzling out.
Patches of rain and drizzle on and off early in the day, tending to fizzle out to leave dry conditions, until into the night rain may return from the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, local breaks, mainly north.
Extensive low cloud shrouding the hills throughout the day. Some local breaks, perhaps between cloud layers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility at times poor due to rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 6th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Nov 25 at
7:20AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 25 to 35mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, perhaps at times arduous over higher terrain. Marked chill where exposed to the wind.
How Wet?
Early rain, then perhaps mostly dry
A band of rain may from overnight may persist into morning, before clearing. Then mostly dry conditions following, though drizzle patches possible.
Cloud on the hills?
Widespread, but breaks inland and north.
Cloud widespread on the hills from dawn, and remaining so all day toward west coast and down to Knoydart and Skye. Breaks developing inland and in north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% on and near Skye, 60% in north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun perhaps should cloud layers thin for a time. Visibility becoming good away from any drizzle, but rather on and near Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Remaining very unsettled with as a series of deep Atlantic lows, and their associated fronts, continue to cross Britain over the next week. Frequently windy, with high rainfall, particularly on western mountains (rain at some stage almost daily) and cloud will frequently cover higher areas. Only rarely cold enough for snow higher mountains in Scotland.