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.)
Friday'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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Friday 17th April 2026
Last updated
Thu 16th Apr 26 at
3:31PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong, gusty wind all day, gales in Scotland, risk severe coastal northwest. Persistent early rain in Scotland breaks to heavy showers, frequent west, clusters spreading east. Several hours of heavy rain sweeps east across England and Wales; driest start Pennines, and dry windows later in Snowdonia and Lakeland.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Rain and showers, heavy/frequent south; gales, later severe west
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 35-45mph, some variability and quite gusty, strongest west and strengthening, to 45mph at least in exposure and gusts approaching 60mph Skye and west coastal Munros. A slight southwesterly trend.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking often arduous in exposure with considerable wind chill, increasingly challenging, forward progress becoming difficult on Skye and the west coast with a great effort to maintain balance.
How Wet?
Frequent rain and showers, more scattered to the north
Showery rain across all Munros from morning, more persistent and heavy for several hours southern areas. Breaking into showers with time, often heavy with a risk of hail, most frequent in the south but clusters pushing north as well. Very wet underfoot on Skye and nearby.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, fairly extensive south, higher breaks to the north afternoon
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, most extensive southern Cuillin. Through afternoon, bases generally higher, occasional breaks approaching summits to the north, but filling in again to 700m or lower in heaviest showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, rising to 40% in the north 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, but also occasionally cloudier too.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C, mildest in the north. Little change likely during the day, then cooling several degrees from evening/dusk. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits during daylight, lowering onto just highest summits overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 18th April 2026
Last updated
Thu 16th Apr 26 at
3:31PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph, risk stronger in north early morning, 50mph. Lowering, 20-35mph, always strongest north.
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, and also periods where more widespread. 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, brief summit breaks, more often capping west coastal tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy early, then brief bursts of sun the rest of the day. Visibility varying, at times very good, but poor during showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, slight drop through afternoon. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind, nearer -15C early in day northern tops.
Freezing Level
Above or just touching the summits at dawn, lowering to 900-1000m later in the day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 19th April 2026
Last updated
Thu 16th Apr 26 at
3:31PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15-25mph early, shifting northerly and easing to 10-15mph or less west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Breezy in exposure on northern Munros early in the day, trending to small effects.
How Wet?
Scattered showers/flurries
Scattered showers drift in from the northwest through morning, falling as snow flurries above 700m in the morning, this level lifting to summits, and the showers tending to ease later.
Cloud on the hills?
Summits largely clear, only fleeting caps
Fog banks at various heights from dawn, only thin mist below 600-700m. Bases lifting after sunrise, towards high terrain and likely off the tops by midday or earlier. An odd cap may graze highest northern summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun. Excellent visibility, occasionally deteriorating briefly in flurries.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 2 or 3C, mildest Ben Wyvis, possibly a degree higher. Staying lifted for several hours into night.
Freezing Level
900m in the morning, though some local lower frosts well-inland. Lifting above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Saturday stays showery, heavy at times with hail, most frequent and heavy in Scotland and northern England. Sun between the showers, conditions improving from the south, and then the weather more widely settled on Sunday: light or negligible wind, often sunny with chilly morning temperatures, though widely rising by at least a few degrees. High pressure north of Scotland next week facilitates east-to northeasterly winds, which may be quite blustery and gusty at times. Generally cooler temperatures too. Occasional light showers drifting from the east, notably early week, snow flurries on higher terrain. Variable freezing levels, likely lowest early in the week, and also some valley frosts at dawn. A mix of cloud and sunshine, most often sunny to the west of high hill groups where temperatures more mild.