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
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.
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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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.
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 8th August 2026
Last updated
Fri 7th Aug 26 at
3:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Ranging from persistent gales, and increasingly toward west and north, rain and fog across the Scottish Highlands to blustery but largely dry Cumbria and S Scotland. Extensively warm and sunny elsewhere.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe upland gales; rain and fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 50-65mph most of day. Slow drop in speed toward evening. Strongest wind Skye and nearby mainland, particularly west from Kintail northwards to west of Ullapool.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions widely with significant wind chill; you may struggle to remain upright; balance challenging.
How Wet?
Constant rain setting in during morning
Increasingly wet as renewed more or less constant rain develops near the coast through the morning and extends gradually inland. Least rain, where may only start around midday, Ben Wyvis and more eastern summits near Great Glen. Near Skye; very wet underfoot.
Cloud on the hills?
Persisting all day on nearly all mountains
Persistent fog from 200 to 450m up on and near Skye. Elsewhere, cloud base typically 450 to 650m, perhaps a little higher easternmost summits, particularly morning.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively dull with poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C, rising a degree, feeling humid. Feeling like -6C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 9th August 2026
Last updated
Fri 7th Aug 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph, generally strongest toward the north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking with notable wind chill and buffeting gusts, particularly northern hills.
How Wet?
Drizzly showers
Drizzly rain on and off, sometimes frequent particularly within 10 miles or so of the general lie off the coast. Very wet underfoot western mountains after previous rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent on higher areas; lowest cloud base toward coast
Cloud base typically between 300 and 500m within a few miles of west facing coasts. Inland base will rise, may reach 700 to 900m easternmost slopes (from summits close to Great Glen north to Ben Wyvis).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, mainly eastern lower slopes and valleys. Varied visibility, often good but poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Feeling near or below freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 10th August 2026
Last updated
Fri 7th Aug 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15mph, dropping to very low speeds by afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Well scattered showers
Here and there a brief shower; not heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Confined to higher tops
By late morning, cloud rare below 1000m, although within a few miles of the coast there may be patches near 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun - perhaps through areas of high level cloud. Excellent or increasingly superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, rising a degree or so near the coast, but to 11C well inland.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Extensively fine and warm early next week - indeed very little rain or low cloud and frequently light winds England and Wales all week. Generally less settled after midweek northwestwards across Scotland where occasional rain and areas of low cloud.