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.)
Thursday's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Very warm
Warm conditions across the hills, rising above 15C on tops. Increasingly hot on lower terrain, reaching 25C+ in many valleys. Beware of dehydration.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Very warm
Warm conditions across the hills, rising above 15C on tops. Increasingly hot on lower terrain, reaching 25C+ in many valleys. Beware of dehydration.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 16th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 15th Jul 26 at
3:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extremely dry ground conditions with risk of wildfire, notably England and Wales. Remaining very warm and mostly sunny across the country, high cloud and haze weakening the sun in the north. Early sea fog affects low slopes of north and east Scotland and England, this burning off through morning.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Very warm; sunny, high cloud, some fog on low coastal slopes
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeasterly or variable, 5 to 10mph, at times gusting 15mph, most likely later in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Some fine misty dampness may occur on lower coastal slopes mainly in north.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills clear, sea fog
Fog may persist over the sea around most of the region, lapping onto lowest coastal slopes, but the mountains widely clear. Toward evening, some fog banks may start to drift upslope Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope and Caithness.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Practically certain (above coastal fog)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine over the mountains dawn til dusk, occasional thin high cloud tending to thicken from the east. Visibility excellent on hills, fog may be extensive over the sea; some haze to the east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
16C from dawn (warmer than glens at first), rising to 17 to 19C, warmest inland where glens reach 25C or locally warmer.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 17th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 15th Jul 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 15 to 25mph, occasional stronger breezes Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but feeling more blustery at times and noticeable cooler on high terrain.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely
An odd pocket of drizzle mainly northernmost areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering some hills for periods
Varied banks of cloud drifting onto some hill slopes, mainly northern areas for periods, perhaps also Skye. Highest tops above the cloud early in day, but some cloud likely drifts higher up. Well broken and often clear near Kintail/Knoydart.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% north, 80% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun and cloud. Visibility very good or excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 11C, coolest if in fog; a degree milder Kintail. Feeling closer to freezing directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 18th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 15th Jul 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 10-20mph, gusty over the summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but frequent nuisance gusts over tops and a chilly feeling.
How Wet?
Little expected
Spotty light rain affects the Munros from time to time, mostly higher terrain near north and west coast; largely dry well inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly broken, best inland south
Fairly extensive at dawn along north and west coasts to at least middle slopes. Bases mostly above 500m well inland. Bases lifting and a breaking trend, mostly above 700-800m along coasts. Easter Ross and southward substantially clearing.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 60% coasts, 80% well-inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of cloud and sun, most often cloudy along north and west coasts. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 10C well-inland. West and north coast hills see little change. Feeling near freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Settled summer weather continues into the weekend and next week as high pressure dominates. Warm temperatures on the hills in midweek will trend cooler from the north from Friday into the weekend, dropping below 10C on summits for periods, mainly Scottish mountains. Most persistently cooler in the north where some cloud will be drawn onto high terrain and over tops at times, occasional light showery rain; occasional inversion conditions in the morning. Otherwise generally ongoing dry weather, with good amounts of sun and many hill tops often clear of cloud. Continuing very high risk of fire with extremely dry ground conditions. A change of weather pattern late in the month brings scope for rain and thundery showers.