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

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Wed 4th Nov 26 at 12:15PM
View our detailed version Last Updated Wed 4th Nov 26 at 12:15PM

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 5th November 2026
Last updated Wed 4th Nov 26 at 12:15PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Extensive fog due to low cloud and patches of drizzle, but dry most western mountains where cloud base highest. Little wind N Scotland, but from near the central belt of Scotland southwards, blustery higher slopes, and in places very gusty west of major ridges.

Headline for The Northwest Highlands

Extensively dry; light wind.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Easterly 10 to 20mph, strongest westernmost summits and slopes, particularly south of Ullapool.

Effect of the wind on you?

Small, though locally near the coast sudden gusts may impact balance.

How Wet?

Rain very unlikely

Risk of the odd patch of drizzle easternmost hills north from Ben Wyvis.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive east; probably clearing toward the coast

Eastern hills north from Ben Wyvis: Extensive or persistent fog above 600m, but patches at 300m, mainly morning. Areas above 800-1050m may be above the cloud. Elsewhere: detail uncertain but the low cloud may well not, or only intermittently reach western mountains.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

40% - in some areas fog lower slopes

Sunshine and air clarity?

Raining from bright sunshine many western areas to cloudy elsewhere. Visibility excellent.

How Cold? (at 900m)

2C to 4C, warmest near west coast.

Freezing Level

Above the summits, but frost at dawn in sheltered valleys and in places ground frozen on highest tops.

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Friday 6th November 2026
Last updated Wed 4th Nov 26 at 12:15PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Direction varied, 10mph or less.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible

How Wet?

Rain very unlikely

Risk of a little light rain here and there.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive, particularly away from coastal summits

Confidence low (as banks of low cloud drift only slowly and the height of the top of the cloud also changes). Broadly, cloud base typically 900m with the top 1100m or above. But particularly morning, pockets of cloud lower slopes, particularly eastern hills.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

30%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Some areas sunny, most widely toward the coast, but other areas will see little sun. The air very clear; haze some lower slopes.

How Cold? (at 900m)

2C

Freezing Level

Above the summits - frost some valleys overnight and perhaps ground frozen higher tops.

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 7th November 2026
Last updated Wed 4th Nov 26 at 12:15PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Direction varied, 10mph or less.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible

How Wet?

Isolated, if any drizzle

Risk isolated fine drizzle

Cloud on the hills?

Many mountains clear of or above low cloud

Continuing areas of slowly drifting low cloud will often largely or completely break up across the NW Highlands, although may continue to affect mainly more eastern hills between 200-400m and around 700 to 900m - higher areas above cloud.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

50% - fog many lower slopes.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Areas of bright sunshine and excellent or superb visibility, although particularly lower areas cloudy.

How Cold? (at 900m)

2C

Freezing Level

Above the summits - but some particularly higher terrain frozen after a frost.

Planning Outlook

High pressure will continue to be the main influence through the next week, particularly W & NW Highlands where extensively dry and wind often light. However, generally fog and low cloud may well never clear most mountains under the light wind. There will also be patches of drizzly rain, although total rainfall small.