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.)
Saturday'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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Saturday 12th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 11th Sep 26 at
4:29PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe gales from dawn on Scottish mountains ease during morning, moderate speeds by mid-afternoon, whilst gales continue on tops in England & Wales until later. An intense band of rain moves south, followed by still frequent rain, some showery bursts plus low cloud western hills. Drier later north Scotland.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales in morning easing. Rain fading and cloud lifting afternoon.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 60 to 70mph from dawn, lessening gradually during morning, shifting westerly 25-40mph by middle of day into early afternoon, 20-30mph afternoon into evening; strongest speeds typically in the north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions with powerful gusts to low levels at first, moderating during morning, but remaining challenging for a few hours with considerable wind chill; smaller effects onward through afternoon.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle most frequent west, improving afternoon
Heavy rain from before dawn, soon breaking up into rain on and off, most persistent in western areas with frequent drizzle plus odd showery bursts mixed in. Drier windows more often eastwards. Tending to become more widely drier from the north during the afternoon. Wet underfoot around Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, some improvement
Blanket cloud across the hills in early rain, some rise of base, but fairly persistent over higher slopes. Best of breaks toward north and east in afternoon, rare to high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, mainly later in afternoon. Hazy, but visibility better as rain clears.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, briefly 9C in morning, slightly cooler toward evening, 5C in north. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 13th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 11th Sep 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West turning southwesterly 15 to 20mph most of day, then rising toward evening, reaching 35-40mph into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small during daytime, deteriorating mainly after dark.
How Wet?
Rare light rain
An odd patch of light rain or brief shower, mainly in north at first, but largely dry. Late evening into night, rain sweeps in from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches lifting and clearing
Patchy cloud around mid to upper slopes from dawn into morning, possibly mist at first some sheltered glens. Some high tops may start between or just above some cloud banks. Tending to thin and break up during day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable sunshine and cloud. Early slight haze, then visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising to 7C during day, tending to rise slightly further into evening and night.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 14th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 11th Sep 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 45mph, speed likely to vary during the day, some notable strong gusts including on some downslopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting over the hills, very gusty in places affecting stability, not just highest terrain. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day, sets in heavy
Rain likely already from dawn on Skye and near west coast, further inland starting patchy and light. Increasingly steady rain moves in from the west, heavier falls setting in over western mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest Skye
Shrouding mountains around Skye and Torridon likely all day, often to mid-slopes or in places lower. Also often covering western mid-upper slopes further north. Best of any breaks to 900m toward east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun in east, otherwise overcast and dull. Poor visibility in rain, generally hazy at best; locally better east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C, little change all day, then lowering from dusk into night to 5C. Feeling just below 0C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Staying unsettled with Atlantic lows dominating to the north; often windy, gale-force westerly winds for periods over higher terrain. Better weather this Sunday, then wind and rain returns into Monday, staying showery into Tuesday. A mixed outlook continues later next week with rain most frequent in western Scotland. Temperatures varying, some cooler days especially in Scotland, but often fairly mild further south, at times quite warm and humid. Higher pressure and better weather tends to expand further north later in month.