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.)
Wednesday'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.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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
Wednesday 14th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Oct 26 at
4:23PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales in north England and Scotland, strengthening for severe conditions, storm-force over Munros. Cloud and patchy rain, mostly west, increasing through afternoon, steady heavy rain northwest highlands later. Near-gales for south Pennines and Wales, mixed cloud and sun, some patchy rain forming.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Storm-force wind, cloud and rain increase
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly, in range 60 to 80mph, notable increase with height and strengthening, widely at least 70mph and gusting above 90mph along the west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions on high terrain, any mobility difficult and wind will blow you around without proper bracing; buffeting even to lower slopes in powerful downslope gusts.
How Wet?
Patchy rain increasing, setting in through afternoon
A little patchy rain on western mountains near Skye and Torridon to start; drier further north and east. Bursts of patchy rain begin forming, then rain gradually sets in persistently from the west, increasingly widespread with heavy falls into the later hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent high west terrain, later extensive
Banks of cloud shrouding west coastal areas above 600-800m fairly persistently. Further north and east the cloud base higher, clinging to many high tops, but some breaks at times, best in the morning out of rain. Cloud becomes increasingly extensive through afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% lowering to almost nil through later afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Visibility generally poor with little sun in the west, a haze offshore. Some glimpses of sun to the north and east of major hill groups where visibility briefly good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8C, sharply cooling evening into night. Feeling like -7 to -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 15th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Oct 26 at
4:23PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-40mph, will vary somewhat, but typically strongest north of Ullapool, gusts to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking much of the day, more arduous far north Munros with considerable buffeting and wind chill.
How Wet?
Some drizzle and showers
A little drizzle on high tops on and near Skye, showers soon beginning to drift from the west, tending to increase in frequency with heavy bursts forming.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering high terrain
Patchy cloud mostly above 700-800m, lowest bases west coast, high Cuillin likely stays shrouded. Base will vary, sometimes approaching high tops east of Ullapool, but also lowering in showers, increasingly widely as the day goes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine. Good visibility, though haze along the west coast, particularly Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. Feeling like -3 to -6C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 16th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Oct 26 at
4:23PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph, increasingly gusty, top speeds to 30-35mph over high summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in places, but blustery on high tops, particularly later with some more strenuous moments in gusts.
How Wet?
Showers
Showers drifting from the northwest, snow on high tops; may be rather frequent, sometimes clustering for steady falls with heavy bursts. Will generally fade to just scattered showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied on high terrain, tending to improve
Terrain nearest the west coast often shrouded above 700-800m from dawn, and lowering during showers, some banks forming to 500m in the early hours. More broken inland, and a general lifting and breaking tendency as afternoon goes, best of summits breaks well-inland later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50%, or higher east summits
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun breaking out, though staying cloudier for longer along the west coast. Visibility very good out of showers but suddenly poor, or very poor on high tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C.
Freezing Level
Just grazing the highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Frontal rain into south Scotland and north England on Thursday, though details of how the front will move are currently uncertain. Starting on the milder side south of the front, fresher air arrives behind the rain Thursday into Friday, sun breaking out with a few showers - Scottish high summits drop back close to freezing with some snow falling on higher tops. Higher pressure builds on Friday, easing remaining showers with plenty of sun breaking out though a gusty northerly wind will persist for a time. A window of settled weather over the weekend and scope for local inversion conditions. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings, ground frosts likely, and may remain breezy south Pennines and Wales. Pressure remains high into the next week though a few brief unsettled moments come and go.