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.)
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 26th October 2021
Last updated
Mon 25th Oct 21 at
4:05PM
Widespread gales across the hills, severe on higher terrain, increasingly stormy. A period of rain associated with a warm front, leaving a legacy of drizzly rain and low cloud for many hills. In western Scotland, staying generally wet and heavier rain returns later.
Severe upland gales, becoming stormy. Rain rarely ceases west.
Southwesterly, marked increase of speed with height to 40 to 60mph, or 70mph by afternoon on higher western mountains, gusts over 80mph high tops.
Difficult conditions on hills, any mobility tortuous where exposed on higher summits and ridges; powerful gusts into passes. Significant wind chill.
Generally wet, rain most constant west
Heavy rain from before dawn continues into the morning, the rain rarely ceasing all day on western mountains around Skye & Torridon, intensity varied. Inland and east, sometimes easing to drizzly spots in the wind. Rain sets in widely again later afternoon onward into evening, heavy or torrential falls in western areas.
Extensive, lowest west
Blanket fog to lower slopes throughout the day near the west coast. Cloud bases higher inland, but often covering mountains above 600 to 800m, highest breaks on hills toward the Moray Firth.
10%
Overcast and murky in west. A general haze at best. Rare glimpses of sun east.
3C rising to 7C, then lowering back to 4C into evening. Where directly in the wind on tops, chill factor feels closer to -7C.
Above the summits
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 27th October 2021
Last updated
Mon 25th Oct 21 at
4:05PM
Southwesterly, 35 to 50mph, strongest on mountains nearest the west coast, risk 60mph for a time in the morning.
Frequent buffeting, difficult conditions where exposed on higher western tops in morning. Significant wind chill.
Rain most frequent west
Pulses of rain coming in from the west, most frequent Skye and Wester Ross. More often dry east across Sutherland. Very wet underfoot following previous heavy rain, streams in spate or flood.
Most persistent in west
Shrouding western mountains on and near Skye most or all day above 600-800m, lowering in rain. Elsewhere, often covering high tops, but some breaks forming to 800m or above.
10% west, 30% north/east.
Glimpses of sun, mainly inland and eastern hills. Visibility good below cloud inland, but a general haze, particularly near west coast.
5 or 6C, coolest toward west, lowering toward 3C into night.
Above the summits
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 28th October 2021
Last updated
Mon 25th Oct 21 at
4:05PM
Southwesterly, 35 to 50mph, strongest west coastal mountains, may ease through day.
Expect considerable buffeting, in places difficult walking for a time tops on/near Skye. May improve.
Showery
Showery rain spreading from the southwest periodically, may become frequent over an hour or so, setting in for periods on western mountains. Sleet on higher Munros, possible hail.
Mostly western tops
Elevated cloud bases mostly confined to higher summits on Skye and nearby on the mainland. Some patches below 800m in showers. Further inland and north, breaks to high tops away from showers
30% Skye, to 60% inland/north.
Occasional sun, most frequent away from west coast. Visibility good away from showers; slight haze may persist near coast.
3C
Just above freezing on higher summits.
Very wet across many mountains this week. Worst conditions focused on the Lakes and Wales by Wednesday-Thursday, where a slow-moving front brings prolonged heavy rainfall and a likelihood of flooding. Staying unsettled through into the weekend, often windy, periods of gale or severe gales continuing on the mountains. Above freezing through midweek, then becoming cooler. By the weekend into next week, colder conditions are expected to prevail, with higher Munros sub-zero for a run of days into the start of November. A marked lowering of freezing level is likely for a few days next week with showers of snow and hail on the hills at times.