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.)
Today's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Saturday 18th April 2026
Last updated
Fri 17th Apr 26 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Brisk westerly winds will give considerable chill factor over high terrain - air temperature near freezing on higher Scottish tops. Showery conditions - the most frequent precipitation in northwest Scotland in morning, falling as snow on Munros, also hail to lower levels. Showers become more scattered during afternoon.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, up to gale force; showery, hail, snow tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph, locally stronger in north early morning, 50mph, gusty around heavier showers. Lowering during day to 25-35mph, always strongest north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery conditions affecting comfortable walking in exposure, some buffeting, more challenging northern tops; gradually improving. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, frequent precipitation morning; hail, snow higher tops
Showers merging into more constant precipitation during the morning, heavy bursts on and off. Showers become somewhat more scattered during afternoon. Some hail, also snow falling on the Munros, by later in day to 700m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying over tops, rising with breaks
Covering higher slopes fairly widely, typically 700-900m in morning, some breaks higher up, lower patches in showers; base rising during the day, brief summit breaks, more often capping west coastal tops, better breaks later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50% afternoon.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy early, then brief bursts of sun the rest of the day. Visibility varying, at times very good, but poor during showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, slight drop through afternoon. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind, nearer -15C early in day northern tops.
Freezing Level
Above or just touching the summits at dawn, lowering to 900-1000m later in the day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 19th April 2026
Last updated
Fri 17th Apr 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph early, local 30mph Ben Hope; shifting northerly, easing to 15-20mph, lowest Torridon to Kintail.
Effect of the wind on you?
Breezy and feeling chilly in exposure on northern Munros especially early in the day, trending to smaller effects.
How Wet?
Scattered showers/flurries
Scattered showers with soft hail drift in from the northwest through morning, falling as snow flurries above 600m in the morning, this level lifting to summits; local showers mostly in Sutherland afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Summits largely clear, only fleeting caps
Cloud banks mostly over west coastal hills above 700m in morning, local mist inland glens. Bases lifting after sunrise, towards high terrain and likely off the tops by midday or earlier. An odd cap may graze highest northern summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun. Excellent visibility, occasionally reduced briefly in flurries.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 2 or 3C afternoon, mildest Ben Wyvis. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900m in the morning, plus frost some inland glens at dawn. Lifting above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 20th April 2026
Last updated
Fri 17th Apr 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East or northeasterly, 20 to 25mph, gusty 30mph in places.
Effect of the wind on you?
Rather blustery with considerable wind chill on exposed higher terrain. Gusts may start to feel more noticeable at times.
How Wet?
Scattered showers
Showers with soft hail, also snow falling on hills, to 400-500m in morning, mostly north and east areas, then brief showers forming more widely into the afternoon, but some places remain dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to tops with breaks
Cloud banks fairly widely above 600-800m in the morning, but better breaks Torridon area. Base rising toward 900m, with breaks forming higher up and increasingly lifting above many tops afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, local sun mostly west early in day. Some sun breaking through occasionally. Visibility mostly very good, briefly reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 3C afternoon. Where exposed to wind, feeling like -5C, to possibly nearer -10C early in day.
Freezing Level
800-900m from dawn, plus frost in some glens. Rising just above freezing to higher tops into the afternoon.
Planning Outlook
High pressure expands over the British Isles on Sunday to bring a quieter day with lighter winds and only isolated showers. A scattering of showers on Monday as a cool east-northeasterly wind develops, but plenty of dry weather too. High pressure stays nearby to the north of Britain through the week ahead giving a run of dry days with sunshine typically best in the west, but many mountains often free of low cloud. A cool easterly wind is likely to prevail for England and Wales, strongest toward the south, whilst Scotland has often lighter winds. Some overnight frosts. Daytime temperatures near average, typically a few degrees above freezing on high tops through midweek.