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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 17th Mar 26 at
3:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy low cloud across many hills early, lifting and fading, particularly away from west coasts; sun breaking out. A weak front lingers over south Scotland, maintaining low cloud and some light spotty drizzle. Light wind, though a blustery morning in the north Scottish highlands; breezy in south Wales too.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Spotty light rain Skye, most hills dry; blustery north early
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-40mph early, lowest speed south; pre-dawn wind in the north up to 50mph from overnight. Easing and trending westerly, 15-25mph, or lower southern mountain groups.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting arduous with considerable buffeting and significant wind chill in exposure, mostly notably in the north. Effects gradually easing to fairly small.
How Wet?
Some spots of light rain in the morning near the west coast
A few light patches of rain affecting west coastal hills, falling as snow flurries from 800m up at first, the snowfall level rising. These will soon die out.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks on high southern terrain, occasionally northward too
Skye and nearby west coast slopes often in cloud above 800-900m, lowering during rain to around 700m. A few patches will drift up the west coast and inland too, but staying well broken, largely above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Skye and nearby, to 70% inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, more of a patchwork on southern and coastal areas, some high cloud weakens the sunshine too. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, lifting to 3C. Overnight, northern Munros drop back towards freezing, southern mountain groups only drop a degree. Feeling like -10 to -13C in strongest wind early in the day.
Freezing Level
900-1000m from dawn, lifting to or above the high tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 17th Mar 26 at
3:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less Skye. Early in the north, gusty westerly 10-15mph, though easing.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Low and middle cloud early, mostly clearing
Dawn fog in the glens, ragged banks up to 700-800m, which may be in thicker layers along the coast (summits likely start clear). Cloud lifts after sunrise, mostly dissipating through morning, a few banks occasionally drifting over the high northern Munros.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising up to 5C south of Ullapool, staying cooler to the north.
Freezing Level
May just graze highest tops near and north of Ullapool early, will lift above all summits with time.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 20th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 17th Mar 26 at
3:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20 to 25mph, may become gusty 30mph+ near some west coastal tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but may start to affect ease of movement and balance on some exposed western ridges. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Precipitation rare if any
Chance of a little fine drizzle at times near to west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Possible west coast cloud
Banks of cloud may drift onto west coastal aspects in places. Otherwise patchy fog in glens at first lifting briefly into patchy cloud on some slopes, then largely dispersing.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best away from west coast. Visibility very good many areas, may be hazier in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 6C, some cooler spots at first, then some slightly warmer spots by afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but slight frost inland glens and some sheltered higher areas at dawn.
Planning Outlook
Fairly widely settled conditions across the country later this week. Some cloud and spotty light rain lingers in north England/south Scotland for a few days, elsewhere becoming mostly sunny; valley fog in many lowland areas early, lifting and dissipating after sunrise for clear hills. Generally milder temperatures and light wind but the occasional stronger gust. The weekend is anticipated to be settled as well, with a mix of cloud and sun, early low cloud lifting and clearing many mountains, only occasional spots of rain in the far northwest of Scotland. A spell of more unsettled weather expected next week, with stronger wind, precipitation, and colder temperatures.