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.)
Tuesday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Tuesday 13th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Oct 26 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Heavy rain over England and Wales at dawn clears eastward, followed by showers, sun breaks, and cooler temperatures. Showers soon frequent west Scotland, clustering for sustained heavy rain/hail, sweeping east across Scotland afternoon. Widely windy, powerful gusts around rain.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strong wind and showers, becoming frequent and heavy
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 35-45mph, some variability, chance briefly lighter, but also strengthening for a few afternoon hours as rain becomes frequent, gusting above 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking much of the day in exposure, and forward progress may become challenging for a few afternoon hours with gusts knocking you off balance. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Scattered showers, frequent and heavy afternoon with hail
Heavy overnight rain sweeps away eastward by dawn, leaving a legacy of scattered showers. Bursts of rain cluster to become frequent, more constant again for a few afternoon hours, with hail, some risk of isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Changing rapidly, extensive in rain
Varied cloud banks from dawn, but for a few hours may break well toward upper slopes especially inland and east. Often capping western tops, variably lowering towards 500-600m in showers, and more widely extensive to at least middle slopes for several afternoon hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun for a few hours mainly inland and east, often cloudier towards the west coast and several afternoon hours more widely cloudy. Visibility at times very good where dry, but then suddenly poor in showers, and later hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Mild 10C from overnight, dropping as dawn approaches to around 6C, lowering further during day to finish near 3C. Feeling later like -10C as wind increases.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 14th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Oct 26 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly, in range 50 to 80mph, notable increase with height and strengthening, gusting 90mph+.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting even on lower hills, but severe conditions on high terrain, mobility difficult; powerful downslope gusts.
How Wet?
A little rain, heavier later
Drizzly rain much of the day on western mountains around Skye and Wester Ross, sometimes only lighter spots; drier further north and east. Later a belt of heavier and more widespread rain arrives from west.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent western hills
Banks of cloud shrouding west coastal areas above 600-800m fairly persistently. Further north and east the cloud base higher, clinging to many high tops, but some breaks at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun mainly eastern areas where visibility fairly good, but a general haze, poorer visibility west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8C. Feeling like -7 to -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 15th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Oct 26 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph, will vary somewhat, but typically strongest north of Ullapool.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ease of walking impacted most or all day, more strenuous walking in the north with considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Some drizzle and showers
Rain from overnight clears by dawn, feeling damp along the west coast for a time, a little drizzle on high tops. Showers form from the west, east areas largely dry until later when showers increase; snow on high tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering high terrain
Extensive overnight cloud lifts around or before dawn, mostly above 700-800m, lowest bases west coast. Base will vary, sometimes approaching high tops east of Ullapool, best of breaks to the east later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, rising to 50% east later
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, increasingly breaking out with time. Good visibility, though haze along the west coast, particularly Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. Feeling like -3 to -6C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, though may lower towards just the high summits late in the day.
Planning Outlook
Southwesterly gales strengthen to become severe on the mountains into Wednesday, moderating into Thursday. Cloudy with some drizzle on western hills, a band of more extensive heavier rain passing southeastwards Wednesday into Thursday as well. Starting on the milder side, but fresher air arrives behind the band of rain Thursday into Friday, sun breaking out with a few showers - Scottish high summits may drop back close to freezing with some snow falling on higher tops. Indications of higher pressure building on Friday and into the weekend, bringing a window of more settled weather and scope for local inversion conditions on high terrain. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings, some ground frosts likely, and may remain quite blustery south Pennines and Wales.