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.)
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 18th September 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
Strong upland wind or gales across the mountains. Frontal wave bringing persistent, heavy rain and extensive cloud from North Wales to the Southern Uplands. Highlands drier, especially east of A9, but showery near the west and north-west coast in the morning. Temperatures mild but with notable wind chill.
Upland gales, wet morning with extensive cloud
Southwesterly 50 to 60mph in the morning. Easing a little in the afternoon to around 40mph, perhaps 30mph on Skye. Very gusty.
Difficult walking conditions will make progress challenging initially. Very powerful gusts may easily blow you over. Easing to arduous conditions later. Significant wind chill.
Wet near the west coast, particularly morning
Showery near the coast, especially Skye and nearby mainland in the morning where it may be heavy for a time; showers may merge to feel like persistent rain for a time. Clearing in the afternoon, last on Skye around mid-afternoon. Much drier near Ben Wyvis.
Extensive morning, some breaks later
Extensive cloud down to lower west-coastal slopes in the morning. As weather dries in the afternoon, cloud base lifting and becoming more patchy. May clear lower northern summits, but higher summits likely to remain shrouded.
10% becoming 40%
Little or no sun in many places, but patchy sunshine if out of rain in the afternoon. Poor visibility near the west coast.
7C. Feeling around -5C in the wind.
Well above the summits.
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 19th September 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
Southwesterly 35 to 45mph, strongest over coastal mountains and toward the far north, may ease a little near Great Glen.
Strenuous walking conditions with balance affected over exposed higher terrain. Significant wind chill.
Rain for a time, then showers west
A front passing northeastward brings rain widely for a time in the morning. Then showers on and off through the day near the west coast, may fade slowly. Small amounts reaching Ben Wyvis.
Widespread, lowest west
Cloud shrouding most higher ground, especially near the coast. Base will be lower during rain. Highest cloud base will be near Ben Wyvis, some breaks to 900m, but summits are unlikely to clear.
20%
Glimpses of weak sunshine at times. Poor visibility in rain, some improvements, at times very good toward east.
6C. Feeling below -5C in the wind.
Above the summits.
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 20th September 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
Forecast details uncertain. Northerly, picking up through the day to 30-45mph by evening, chance only 20-30mph.
Arduous conditions developing into the afternoon, possibly difficult. Balance affected late in the day, especially on exposed ridges. Significant wind chill.
Light showers, probably
Some uncertainty: Likely infrequent light showers, falling as snow flurries on high ground in the afternoon. Risk of more persistent, heavier rain remains.
Widespread on high ground
Widespread patchy cloud at various levels through the day. Should heavier rain arrive, these will merge, lower and become more extensive.
60%
Little or no sunshine. Good visibility.
2C, dropping a little through the day. Highest summits likely to be below freezing in the afternoon. Feeling -10C in the wind.
Above the summits in the morning, dropping to 1100-1000m by the afternoon.
Weather remains mixed into and through the weekend, often with high winds, regions of persistent rain and extensive cloud. Temperatures falling through Saturday across the UK with the higher Scottish summits dropping below freezing and frosts in some glens. Looking increasingly likely that high pressure will take hold from the north on Sunday evening, bringing a period of more settled weather across the country for a couple of days at least, perhaps longer.