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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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 16th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Oct 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Bright sun and showers, mostly chilly temperatures. Showers cluster for steady falls and heavy bursts with hail, first in Scotland (snow on high Munros), then into England and Wales afternoon. Showers tend to scatter into evening, though sometimes returning to north parts of Scotland and Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Showers with hail, snow on tops, tending to scatter
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly shifting northwesterly, sustained 20-25mph, will vary and quite gusty, approaching up to 30mph. Trending northerly later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small at times, but strongest gusts will begin to impact ease of walking.
How Wet?
Showers, some hail, snow on high tops
Showers drifting from the northwest, snow on high tops, at times clustering for steady falls with heavy bursts with hail. Snow falling as low as 800-900m onto Ben Hope later. Showers tend to lessen with time, but a few showery bursts return into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied on high terrain, general improving tendency
Terrain nearest the west coast often shrouded above 700-800m, and lowering during showers, some banks forming to 500m early hours. More broken inland, and a general lifting and breaking tendency as afternoon goes, though returning to 600-700m when showers return.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50%, or higher southeast
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine break out between showers, sun increasing with time but cloudier periods return with showery bursts. Visibility very good out of showers but suddenly poor, very poor in snow on high tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, may lower to 0C northernmost areas into evening.
Freezing Level
Just above the high tops, some chance a few patchy frosts in sheltered glens just around dawn. Freezing level may lower to touch Ben Hope late in the day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 17th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Oct 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-northwesterly 10-15mph, may gust up to 20mph north but speeds tend to lessen, notably Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Likely dry
Small chance odd spots of light rain/sleet on northwest Munros, more likely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches on summits
Patches at varied heights to start, some mist in sheltered glens. Will lift and begin to dissipate after sunrise, though hills near and north of Ullapool will see more persistent banks of cloud above 700-800m. Just varied patches touching summits elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, nearer 50% north of Ullapool
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often sunny, more patchy towards west coast. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising a degree on sun-exposed slopes.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: just around high summits, dawn frosts on sheltered low slopes/glens, thawing through morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 18th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Oct 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15-25mph, strongest Skye and quite gusty over high terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though strongest gusts particularly over the Cuillin will begin to impede walking with wind chill.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Shrouding the high Cuillin, little elsewhere
Patchy mist in sheltered glens from dawn will soon begin to lift and dissipate, most hills substantially clear much of the day. Skye will maintain a deck of cloud mostly above 700m, likely shrouding Cuillin summits all day. A few patches may graze high west-coast summits too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Cuillin, 80% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sun for most, some patchy cloud towards west coast. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, rising a degree, locally 6C northern aspects; little change with added height. May feel as cold as -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but frosts in many glens/sheltered low slopes at dawn.
Planning Outlook
A window of more settled weather this weekend as a core of high pressure builds over Scotland. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings with ground frosts, some valley mist particularly in Scotland. Mostly sunny, though locally a little cloud lingering on some high slopes; an easterly breeze will keep the skies a touch cloudier in England and Wales, chance a little rain for England on Sunday with building cloud, though detail currently uncertain. The following week starts with some rain and wind in Wales, more settled to the north but with strengthening wind and building cloud as well. Forecast confidence is low into the week: a general trend towards unsettled conditions is indicated, soonest in the southeast. Scotland may stay largely dry into mid-week, northernmost areas clearest of cloud.