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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Monday 14th September 2026
Last updated
Sun 13th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Humid southwesterly air brings extensive low cloud and drizzle to many mountains. Locally drier with some cloud breaks toward northeast of major mountain groups. Around Skye generally wet all day, whilst more prolonged heavier rain likely moves into southwest Scotland afternoon-evening. Strong and gusty winds.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Blustery, gusty; rain persistent, at times heavy, low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 45mph, speed varying locally and during the day, but some notable strong gusts including on some north and eastern downslopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some variations, but frequent buffeting over the hills, very gusty in places affecting stability, not just highest terrain. Often considerable wind chill despite mild air.
How Wet?
Rain most persistent and heavy around Skye, on and off elsewhere
Rain and drizzle already from dawn on Skye and near west coast, some steady or heavier falls, particularly Skye where rarely ceasing, may fade a little mainly further north, then returning later. Further east, the rain often lighter, easing off for periods.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest Skye
Shrouding mountains around Skye and Torridon all day, often to mid-slopes or in places lower on south-facing slopes, especially Cuillin. Also often covering western mid-upper slopes further north. Best of any breaks to 900m toward east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil around Skye; 20% north/east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun in east, otherwise overcast and dull. Poor visibility in rain, generally hazy at best; locally better east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9 or 10C, locally slightly warmer easternmost areas, little change all day; then lowering only well into night to 6C. Feeling just below 0C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 15th September 2026
Last updated
Sun 13th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery across the hills, strenuous walking on exposed higher terrain with buffeting gusts and considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Often raining
Showery rain throughout the day, most frequent on western mountains early morning, but soon extending eastward, some heavier bursts on and off.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly persistent higher tops
Often capping western mountains above 800m, banks of cloud to 600m at times more often near to coast. Some breaks briefly higher up, most common in east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, most common eastern areas. Visibility very good away from showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, small change then trending slightly cooler later in daytime. Feeling like -3C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 16th September 2026
Last updated
Sun 13th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Gusty northwesterly 30-35mph, turning westerly and lessening, later SW'ly, restrengthening, later to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery start, easing to fairly small effects for a time, but conditions become strenuous, or later arduous.
How Wet?
Setting in afternoon into evening
A few scattered drizzly spots from time to time, most hills dry. Rain arrives from the west afternoon, setting in persistently later with heavy falls western hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaking for a time
Patches cover high terrain in the morning, most extensive to the north. Some more cloud will drift south down the west coast, but a lifting trend, breaks above most summits for a time, then filling from the west from mid-afternoon on, to middle slopes later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 60% for several hours, then deteriorating
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best inland south, then high cloud thickens from the west. Good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, rising to 6C, rising slightly further into night. Feeling as cold as -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Staying unsettled during the next week to 10 days as westerlies prevail - areas of low pressure passing north of Scotland with frontal systems bringing frequent rain, wettest over western mountains in Scotland. Often windy, sustained periods of gale-force westerly winds over higher terrain. Fairly cool by Tuesday onward, close to freezing on highest Scottish summits on Wednesday morning, possibly again for a time next weekend; often considerable wind chill on the mountains. Higher pressure and better weather tends to expand further north later in month.