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
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.
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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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.
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 15th October 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Oct 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A band of rain over south Scotland moves south and east, several hours of steady rain first reach north England and gradually spreads into Wales and Pennines. Very windy and mild England and Wales before the rain arrives. Scotland is chilly with showers and sun breaks, showers increase and push east with time.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, scattered showers increase in frequency
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-40mph, will vary somewhat, but typically strongest north of Ullapool, gusts to 45mph or higher over Ben Hope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking much of the day, more arduous over far north Munros with considerable buffeting and wind chill.
How Wet?
Increasingly showery
A little drizzle on the high Cuillin, showers soon beginning to drift from the southwest, tending to increase in frequency with heavy bursts forming. Showers begin to fall as sleet/snow on high tops, and will continue overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering high terrain, variably to mid-slopes
Patchy cloud mostly above 700-800m, lowest bases west coast, high Cuillin likely stays shrouded. Base will vary, sometimes approaching high tops east of Ullapool out of showers, but returning lower, increasingly widely as the day goes, regularly as low as 500m near coasts.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine. Good visibility out of cloud and rain, though hazy along the west coast, and trending more often poor as showers increase.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, locally 4C in some eastern areas. Feeling like -3 to -6C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits during daytime, lowering to just above the summits overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 16th October 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Oct 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph, increasingly gusty, top speeds to 30-35mph over high summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in places, but blustery on high tops, particularly later with some more strenuous moments in gusts.
How Wet?
Showers
Showers drifting from the northwest, snow on high tops; clustering for steady falls with heavy bursts at times. Snow falling as low as 800-900m Ben Hope later, and may begin to scatter somewhat.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied on high terrain, tending to improve
Terrain nearest the west coast often shrouded above 700-800m, and lowering during showers, some banks forming to 500m in the 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?
Sunshine in and out, longer cloudy periods towards north and west coasts. Visibility very good out of showers but suddenly poor, or very poor on high tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, may lower to 0C northernmost areas into evening. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Just grazing the high summits, some chance of patchy light frosts in sheltered inland glens around dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 17th October 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Oct 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-northwesterly 10-15mph, may gust up to 20mph north but speeds may moderate, notably Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Rare odd spots of light rain/sleet may affect west coast Munros, but all hills see extended dry windows.
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 above high summits, though dawn frosts on sheltered low slopes/glens, thawing through morning.
Planning Outlook
Friday starts fresh with local valley frosts, freezing level onto the highest Munros. Bright for many, though showers affect west areas, particularly Scotland, and spread more widely afternoon. A window of settled weather follows over the weekend as a core of high pressure builds over Scotland. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings with ground frosts and some valley mist. Sun breaking out, though some cloud will linger on upper slopes, only limited scope for local inversion conditions. An easterly breeze will keep the skies a touch cloudier in England and Wales, chance a little light rain for England on Sunday. Pressure remains high into next week though some areas of low pressure will try to break through. Forecast confidence reduces from mid-week with a risk of unsettled conditions returning.