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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Cool
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Cool
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 6th October 2024
Last updated
Sat 5th Oct 24 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Damp southerly air brings a lot of cloud, with drizzle and pulses of rain drifting northwards. Lowest cloud on south-facing hill groups. Drier and higher cloud toward NW Scotland. A zone of heavier rain moves into Wales in afternoon, locally torrential, risk of thunder. Blustery S-SE'ly winds, feeling cool on higher terrain.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Patchy rain, often drier west, some cloud breaks. Breezy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly typically 20 to 30mph, possibly stronger for a time from dawn; lulls to lower speeds possible during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Varied, prepare for marked wind chill on higher terrain, blustery at times affecting balance on exposed ridges.
How Wet?
Occasional rain
Some areas near the west coast often dry, especially north of Torridon, but expect pulses of rain drifting northwards from time to time, most frequent around Skye, locally also rain on and off toward Caithness.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to many tops
Banks of cloud around Skye to 600-700m, but elevated bases mostly above 900m much of the region, good breaks to many summits. Some low cloud may be drawn onto eastern hills from North Sea.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Skye, to 70% elsewhere.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, may be weak at times through high cloud. Visibility good, hazier near coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C, but feeling sub-zero if exposed to stronger winds on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 7th October 2024
Last updated
Sat 5th Oct 24 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable direction and speed, often below 15mph, but locally gustier E-SE'ly 20-25mph, mainly Skye, also far north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but locally may affect ease of walking on some tops, feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Periods of showery rain, may be frequent over Sutherland. Locally varied conditions, may result in some hills being dry for several hours during day.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over the hills
Varied extent of cloud: often covering higher summits, lowering around rain to cover hills above 600-700m, locally lower in east. Better breaks more likely western areas around Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility at times good, but reduced in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, but feeling sub-zero if exposed to stronger breeze.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 8th October 2024
Last updated
Sat 5th Oct 24 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 20 to 35mph, likely strongest toward north, locally gusty western tops; possible lulls near Great Glen.
Effect of the wind on you?
Gusts affecting balance on some slopes, further north risk more frequent buffeting. Marked wind chill in exposure.
How Wet?
Patchy rain east/north
Occasional rain mainly eastern hills, may drift west across Sutherland at times, but little reaching Skye and Torridon where much of the day may escape dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Mainly east/north, clearer west
Low cloud most persistent over east and northern areas Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope, at times bases below 600m. Further west cloud higher and more broken toward upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine mostly near west coast, some high level cloud; cloudier east. Visibility good west, hazier east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, but feeling sub-zero in the stronger winds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Areas of low pressure will influence all areas throughout the week ahead, bringing frequent rain and showers. Fairly mild conditions at first, but much colder air returns from the north from midweek, dropping widely below freezing over higher mountains, with showers of snow focused over Scottish mountains. A former Atlantic hurricane is likely track across southern Britain as a deep low, bringing a risk of heavy rain to England and Wales Wednesday-Thursday. Wind speeds very varied, some lulls early in the week, but midweek onward a risk of widespread gales or even stormy winds for a time - significant wind chill later week in strong northerlies.