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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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
Tuesday 27th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Oct 26 at
1:57PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Continued strong upland wind particularly Scottish Highlands where storm force toward the north. Showers will come in from the west, falling one after another for periods on western mountains, particularly in Scotland. Cloud will shroud most mountains.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Storm force upland winds. Rain and fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest to westerly, increasing markedly with height to 65-80mph where exposed above about 900m. Marginal easing through daylight
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions; any mobility difficult and severe wind chill on higher areas where exposed.
How Wet?
Often raining, sleet or snow higher summits
Frequent showers, sometimes the rain almost constant, particularly more western mountains, throughout the day. Sleet and snow above 900 to 1050m, perhaps lying highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying cloud base; but persistent higher areas
Cloud base will vary, occasional breaks to 750 to perhaps on eastern summits 900m. However, frequently deteriorating, in rain cloud often near or below 400m, especially near coasts open to the southwest.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of sun, mainly or only lower slopes well inland. Often poor visibility, very poor in snow, and hazy at best
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1050m, although slowly dropping through daylight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 28th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Oct 26 at
1:57PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly typically 45mph. Will trend towards lower speeds through daylight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous or widely difficult walking and significant wind chill where exposed on higher areas.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Showers, and perhaps over an hour or two areas of more persistent rain, particularly affecting more western mountains. Rainfall totals smallest towards Ben Wyvis.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, best chance breaks east
West coast slopes often in cloud above 600-700m, bases generally higher with breaks eastward, occasionally to high tops, but also broad decks of cloud spreading widely during rain, covering high terrain, locally towards 500m west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of sun here and there. Hazy at best, and visibility often poor in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, rising to 5C. Feeling like -5 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 29th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Oct 26 at
1:57PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly widely around 20mph. Near the coast, particularly Skye, nearer 30mph, perhaps by dusk 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small. Near the coast, particularly Skye expect sudden buffeting in gusty wind as well as marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Substantially dry, a little rain near Skye.
Pockets of drizzly rain may come and go on Skye - perhaps only west Skye, although a little may reach nearby mainland coasts.
Cloud on the hills?
Much of region becoming free of low cloud. Probably extensive Skye.
Most cloud, perhaps still shrouding higher areas after dawn will gradually lift to or above 1050m. But near Skye, perhaps only west Skye, fog may shroud particularly south facing coastal slopes from around 300m, rising to 500m northwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, but 30% Cuillin
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud breaking to give patches of sun. Perhaps hazy on Skye; otherwise only slight haze and generally very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C - but may well feel below freezing point in the wind on coastal mountains.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A hint of a change as pressure builds across Britain from the coming weekend. For this week though, although not as stormy, further bands of rain and strong wind, particularly affecting western mountains. Into the weekend, a final front could well become almost stationary for a day or so before fizzling out - as yet uncertainty as to its position (thus its rain and low cloud) in the otherwise improving picture as it becomes fine with light wind on the hills.