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.)
Thursday'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.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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.
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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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
Thursday 17th September 2026
Last updated
Wed 16th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong westerly winds, gales widely on Scottish mountains; cool air and significant wind chill factor. Showery rain with heavy bursts mixed in most frequent in western Scotland, but tending to extend eastward. Showers develop more often for northern England too. Fewer showers for Wales after early rain clears.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Mountain gales, feeling distinctly chilly; rain often heavy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 40 to 55mph, squally gusts in showers, top speeds approach 60mph over high terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking in exposure all day, considerable buffeting will challenge balance, gusts could knock you over in places; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain sets in, heavy bursts, risk hail
Showers stream onto the west hills from dawn, increasingly pushing eastward and becoming frequent all day, setting in widely for a few hours at least. Heaviest rain west and north, a risk of hail forming, chance isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive
Cloud covers west coast hills above 700-800m most or all day, regularly dropping towards 500-600m in showers. Starting higher with breaks to eastern tops in the morning, but will fill in more widely with time, most hills covered above 600m, down to 400m west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Starting 60% east, lowering to 10% widely
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun mostly east. Visibility often reduced by showers, a general haze at best in west; better early in day in east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C. Feeling like -5C, to as cold as -10C in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 18th September 2026
Last updated
Wed 16th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West turning S-SW'ly, 35-45mph; briefly lowering in morning, then increasing further to 50-55mph afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous conditions in exposure most of the day, deteriorating to become more difficult with considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, then more rain afternoon
Showery rain in morning in west; further east often drier for a few hours. Rain arrives around Skye/Torridon into afternoon, more widely for several hours, some heavy falls. A legacy of patchy rain and drizzle into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops, later filling in
Cloud often covers west slopes above 700-800m some variability and a lifting trend through morning, good summit breaks Easter Ross. Blanket cloud arrives to Skye, filling in widely well into the day, may later break up again somewhat.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, to 70% east, lowering to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, increasingly cloudy afternoon and dull for a time. Generally hazy, and deteriorating in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising to 6C, further rising to approach 8C into evening. Feeling below 0C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 19th September 2026
Last updated
Wed 16th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, powerful squally gusts around showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions, balance frequently challenged on high exposed terrain. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain west
Showery all day on western mountains, rain rarely fully ceasing for long, a mix of drizzle and some heavier bursts. Smaller amounts of rain reaching eastern hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher areas
Often covering western mountains above 700-800m, some patches to 600m or lower in rain near coast. Brief breaks higher up inland. Bases higher eastwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun, more common east. Hazy west, at times poor visibility in rain, better eastwards, good where dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, trending slightly cooler later in the daytime. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale-force winds continue extensively on the mountains into the weekend, southwesterly turning westerly with time. Frequent rain over western hills, showers passing eastwards, tending to fade during Sunday as higher pressure begins to build from the south, allowing wind speeds to lessen too over England & Wales. Warmer into early next week, though higher humidity brings more cloud some drizzly rain to the west. A generally more promising forecast for late September as high pressure nearby offers drier and warmer weather for more places. Weather systems grazing past Scotland to the north still bring locally stronger winds and occasional rain mainly to the northwest.