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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Wednesday 30th April 2025
Last updated
Tue 29th Apr 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fine and warm, or very warm Wales and Pennines. Strong sunshine, some thin high cloud; beware sunburn and dehydration. Toward northwest Scotland, strengthening southwesterly winds, more cloud at times, one or two brief showers. Into night, some rain moves into Scotland from the west.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Increasingly windy. Local brief showers, patchy coastal cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph, speeds strongest into the afternoon, later in day risk 40mph over higher tops near/north of Ullapool.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly blustery on higher terrain, affecting balance and comfortable walking where exposed on ridges. Becoming more arduous later in day, especially north.
How Wet?
Local showers possible; some rain into night.
Fine drizzle where in cloud particularly Skye. Brief showery bursts passing northeastwards during the morning, possibly a local heavier burst in Sutherland in afternoon. Into night, patchy rain associated with a front coming in from west, briefly may be locally heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches; lowering into night
Toward the west coast, cloud banks above 700-800m in morning, tending to lift and break. Further inland, patches mostly above 800-900m lifting above most tops afternoon. Clearer overall toward Ben Wyvis. Evening into night, lowering cloud from west, filling in to mid-slopes near west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine and varied high cloud. Visibility mostly very good, misty for a time around Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 to 10C west coastal mountains, rising to 13C well inland and eastern hills. Directly in the stronger wind, feeling closer to freezing.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 1st May 2025
Last updated
Tue 29th Apr 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30-40mph, strongest toward north, risk occasional 50mph Ben Hope middle of day into afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking at times strenuous with considerable buffeting and wind chill. Risk of arduous walking in the far north.
How Wet?
Showery rain on and off
Bursts of showery rain, occasionally more frequent. Chance of some drizzly moments along the west coast in low cloud.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive at first, improving, breaks inland
Coastal slopes extensively covered at dawn, bases 600-800m further inland. Will lift somewhat, but always risk of low fragments near the west coast. Inland, cloud breaking to passing patches over high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, becoming 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun developing as high cloud breaks up. Excellent visibility out of fog.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C
Freezing Level
Lowering early in day to be around 1100m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 2nd May 2025
Last updated
Tue 29th Apr 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 35mph, risk 40mph over tops in the far north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting balance on exposed ridges; further north risk more arduous on tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Light showers
Occasional brief showers, a snow flurry on higher Munros early morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Rising to tops, clearing at times
Patches of cloud likely to come and go on western mountains above 800-1000m in the morning, lifting with time to higher slopes, but may come and go on tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, but some sun breaking through for periods. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -7 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Near highest summits around 1000-1100m from dawn, lifting above all tops into middle of day onward.
Planning Outlook
Dropping colder across the Highlands by Thursday, near to freezing on higher summits; strong westerly winds in the north giving considerable chill factor and bringing a few showers. Warmer further south - risk of local thundery rain for Wales later Thursday. High pressure centred toward the northwest maintains plenty of dry weather over the Bank Holiday weekend with broken cloud and sun; brief local showers possible. Cool and breezy toward north and eastern mountains, lighter winds and warmer toward southwest Highlands, Cumbria and west Wales. Further into next week, risk spells of chilly and strong west-northwesterly winds particularly for the Highlands, some showery days.