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.)
Wednesday'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
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Oct 26 at
3:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly Scotland, frequent showers over central and west mountains, hail mixed in with snow on summits. Showers spread widely afternoon. Wales and south Pennines start dull and rainy, this soon clearing to cooler, brighter weather. Showers and wind follow in north Wales, then into England later afternoon.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Frequent showers all day with hail, snow on high tops
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly shifting northwesterly, generally 15-25mph sustained winds but quite gusty, at times approaching 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but ease of walking affected in exposure, strongest gusts around showers beginning to affect balance with notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers with hail, snow on high terrain
Hail and showers, one after another, sometimes almost constant precipitation over an hour or so. Falling as snow on the high tops, locally as low as 700m.
Cloud on the hills?
Summits largely in cloud, highly variable, to lower west slopes
Cloud height constantly changing, typically between around 600-800m highest in the east, may occasionally break to or above 900m, and a slight rising tendency. Near precipitation shafts of cloud to 400m, perhaps sometimes lower within 10 miles or so of the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sun, best eastern areas. Visibility sometimes poor, to appalling on high terrain in snow, but temporarily very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Feeling as cold as -8C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 8th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Oct 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly shifting southwesterly, mostly 10-20mph, rising afternoon towards 40mph by evening, further rising.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but becoming blustery through afternoon, deteriorating overnight.
How Wet?
Early showers, then rain arrives afternoon
A few early light snow showers, mostly northern coastal areas, these fading for several dry hours. Through afternoon, rain arrives onto Skye, spreading widely, setting in into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high terrain
Cloud will come and go above 600-700m in the morning, breaks between showers increasingly off the high tops, little cloud towards Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross. From later afternoon, cloud fills in over the Cuillin, increasingly widely into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 60%, lowering to 30% evening
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some early bright sunshine, high cloud soon building, increasingly thickening. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, slight rise, but later a sharp rise to 8C or higher for a few overnight hours.
Freezing Level
Just on the high tops at dawn, some frosts in sheltered glens at dawn; lifting above tops as the day goes.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 9th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Oct 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly sustained 35-45mph, very gusty, top speeds approaching 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking, powerful gusts constantly challenging balance, sometimes requiring bracing. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day, with hail
Shower after shower streams in from the west, heavy bursts with hail, snow on the high tops, and clustering into persistent falls.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
High tops in cloud most or all day, base quite variable early, between 600-900m in and out of showers, but increasingly extensive above at least 700m and lowering in heavier rain, to as low as 400m along the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of sun here and there. Visibility generally poor on high terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. Feeling like -5 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Just above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Thursday begins chilly with bright sun, some frosts in sheltered glens and valleys, and a few showers along Scottish and Welsh coasts. Westerly wind returns as Thursday goes, bringing rain, low cloud and strong upland winds across Britain overnight into Friday morning. Friday and Saturday are windy and showery with bright breaks, a risk of severe gales on Scottish tops. Sunday sees a more settled day as a small ridge of high pressure builds from the west. The following week looked mixed with bands of rain coming and going, temperatures similarly fluctuating: generally mild, but sometimes chilly in Scotland with freezing levels lowering onto high Munros and rain turning to snow. Some indications of more settled weather into the following weekend, but confidence is low.