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.)
Tuesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to 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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to 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
Tuesday 18th August 2026
Last updated
Mon 17th Aug 26 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fresh-to-strong westerly breezes bring frequent showery rain and drizzle to western Scotland all day, plus patchy rain western England and Wales in the morning, here becoming drier until rain returns by evening. All western tops often in cloud. Some showery rain extends east across the Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Breezy, rain and showery bursts, low cloud often on hills.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20 to 25mph, at times 30mph, strongest most often around Skye to Kintail.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance on some high tops and ridges, mostly toward south. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off, occasionally heavy
A band of rain in northern areas in the morning, some heavy, tending to clear away northward. Showery rain frequent over western hills, mixed with drizzle. Drier windows in east, but some heavy bursts move eastward in afternoon, small chance of isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest west
Often covering hills above 600 to 800m in the morning, some lower banks widely around rain, much of day in the west, whilst further east higher breaks form.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, brief sun in east for a time. Visibility good, but reduced in showers and slight coastal haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, trending cooler later in day. Feeling near or just below 0C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 19th August 2026
Last updated
Mon 17th Aug 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less early in day, but sudden gusts in rain. Becoming NE'ly 20 to 30mph afternoon, soonest in north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for notable wind chill if exposed to increasing wind. Ease of walking starting to be affected as speeds rise.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain, risk lightning
Areas of rain from dawn near west coast and in far north, but increasingly showery rain forming widely, heavy bursts mainly inland into the afternoon, moving around slowly to give rain locally for an hour or more. Risk of thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding hills fairly widely above 600 to 800m, some breaks at times if drier to 900m or above for periods. During and after rain, cloud lowering, ragged patches to lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy; some sun later near coasts. Visibility often reduced by rain, some periods where very good if dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, little change all day. Feeling like 0 to -3C if exposed to increasing wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 20th August 2026
Last updated
Mon 17th Aug 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 20 to 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling distinctly chilly on exposed high terrain. Breezy over hills, in places may affect comfortable walking.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Showery rain spreading from the north, more frequent rain for periods especially north. Some heavier bursts form inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive on tops
Often capping higher slopes above 700-900m, some lower patches in rain. Breaks occasionally toward some tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, brief sun breaking through. Visibility very good at times, poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C, coolest toward far north, little variation all day; slightly cooler by evening. Feeling like -3 to -5C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure dominates across Britain into midweek, bringing showery conditions widely, some more organised bands of rain at times. Some heavy and thundery downpours forming, mostly into the afternoons, becoming focused further south with time. Fresh westerly winds turning northerly and temperature lowering later this week, dropping close to freezing on high Scottish tops by Friday and frost may occur in Highland glens over a couple of nights. More often dry with rare lighter showers over the weekend as higher pressure builds. Strengthening south-southwesterly winds into early next week with a risk of rain returning from the west, but warmer temperatures are likely.