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.)
Monday'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+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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
Monday 5th October 2026
Last updated
Sun 4th Oct 26 at
3:52PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Humid air ahead of a cold front moving slowly south across Scotland will bring fog and drizzle to most mountain areas, although some improvement from the north across the Scottish Highlands. Upland gales will be widespread - least windy southwards along the Pennines and also Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe gale or storm force upland wind. Rain (mainly morning). Fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly in the range 45 to 65mph. Sudden gusts some lower slopes. Generally a slow easing through the day, most noticeable near Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely difficult walking - in places any mobility challenging where exposed: balance challenging in gusts (some gusts reaching lower slopes). Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain clearing to showers
Overnight rain, concentrated on more western mountains (especially those near Skye) will soon ease to showers from about Torridon northwards and by midday or early afternoon southward to Skye and Knoydart.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog - some improvement in cloud base from north.
From dawn: Persistent fog: near coasts with the sea to the SW, from 200 to 400m upward, whilst elsewhere above typically 600m. During morning and middle of day, improving from north, typically cloud base rising to 600 to 850m, lowest toward the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively dull and misty. A few pockets of sun easternmost lower slopes and valleys will spread southwards. Very hazy at best.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon dropping to 5C, perhaps a degree lower by dusk. Will feel like minus 8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Sun 4th Oct 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly between 20 and 30mph, strongest Sutherland.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill in much colder air. Balance impacted by the wind, particularly near showers. Strenuous walking in wind far north.
How Wet?
Snow and hail showers
Succession of hail and snow showers; some heavy and squally mainly Wester Ross and Skye. Snow will lie above 900 or 1000m.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently covering higher slopes; forming lower down near precipitation.
Near showers, shafts of cloud below 600m, perhaps temporarily 400m, mainly near the coast. Otherwise cloud base 650 to occasionally 900m (the higher base generally confined to more eastern areas).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine. Very varied visibility; often very good, but abruptly very poor, temporarily appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, but will feel as cold as minus 8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Last updated
Sun 4th Oct 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West veering northwesterly in the range 20 to perhaps 30mph - particularly gusty near precipitaion.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but ease of walking and balance sometimes difficult near showers. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow; risk lightning
Hail and snow showers, sometimes one after another or giving almost constant precipitation over an hour or so. Snow lying to around 750m.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost continually covering higher areas
Rare breaks above 750-900m, particularly well inland. But near precipitation shafts of cloud below 400m, perhaps sometimes lower within 10 miles or so of the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly only easternmost areas. Visibility sometimes appalling, but temporarily very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C; will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1050m
Planning Outlook
A brief colder period with the wind easing on Wednesday and Thursday - some snow will lie on higher Scottish summits. Winds then return to the southwest, bringing bands of rain, low cloud and strong upland winds across Britain. Most frequent severe weather will be on the W and NW Highlands, where there will be considerable rain and frequent upland gales.