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.)
Friday'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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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
Friday 25th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 24th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy in Scotland, showers west, only scattered eastward where often sunny; wind lessens for a time afternoon. Patchy rain England and Wales, tending to break up in north England later. Rain and cloud linger in Wales and south Pennines but rainfall totals small; mild-to-warm, little wind in Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, showery, and feeling chilly; often bright east
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, lessening a little locally to 30-35mph east and towards Great Glen, but restrengthening again later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions and frequent buffeting on exposed terrain knocking you off balance with considerable wind chill. Effects will lessen for a time south and east but deteriorate again into night.
How Wet?
Showers
Showers most frequent on coastal mountains, particularly near Skye; likely to come and go over many western hills, some heavier showers. More often dry further east, though Kintail may see regular showers. Rain more persistent into night for a time
Cloud on the hills?
Banks come and go over tops, more often on west high terrain
Varied cloud above 700 to 900m, most common Skye and coastal Wester Ross, likely anywhere in rain, but often higher with better breaks further north and east, and perhaps a window of more widely broken cloud away from Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% west to 70% east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun mostly inland and east, particularly lower slopes. Fairly hazy west, reduced further in rain, visibility good toward east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, little change all day. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 26th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 24th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 50mph, trending higher, widely at least 50mph later, gusting 60mph west coast/Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking conditions, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance on exposed terrain; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off west
Showery rain most frequent over western mountains, some steadier rain for periods on Skye and coastal areas near Torridon. More often dry toward Ben Wyvis.
Cloud on the hills?
Often capping western tops
Likely to come and go above 800m in west, some lower patches at times near coast. More often above 900-1000m further inland/east, some breaks to tops, but also more broadly over high terrain for a few afternoon hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly eastern areas. Visibility very good where dry and out of cloud, hazier toward Skye, reduced in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C through morning, rising up to 8C afternoon. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 27th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 24th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40-55mph, powerful gusts. Will lessen later, shift southwesterly, variable between 25-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions well into the day with significant wind chill. Effects will lessen later but remaining variable.
How Wet?
Rain becomes persistent and heavy
Patchy rain Skye and west coast through morning, dry windows north and east, but a band of persistent rain arrives from the west, setting in for several hours with a swathe of torrential rain. Breaking up somewhat later.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy on tops, more extensive afternoon
Varied above 700m on and around Skye early, more broken north and east and may break up more briefly. A band of low cloud sweeps in from the west, bases as low as 400-500m west coast briefly, tending to break up again. Always highest bases near/north Ben Wyvis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, to 20% for several hours
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun to start, becoming overcast well into afternoon, may later break. Very good visibility before cloud and rain arrive.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, may rise a degree Ben Wyvis and northward, later lowering to 5C. Feeling like 0 to -3C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
South to southwesterly winds prevail onward into the weekend and next week. Saturday will be bright for many, windy in Scotland with some showers in the west. Mild-to-warm temperatures, but a chilly feeling north in wind. A band of rain sweeps eastward more broadly on Sunday; rain could be very heavy for a few afternoon hours. A window of higher pressure is indicated for Monday with warmer, brighter conditions for many, but northwest Scotland starts breezy with cloud and some light rain. Into mid-next week, risk of a more widespread gale, or severe gale over higher mountains. Detail of timing is uncertain, but several bands of rain punctuated by showers and bright spells will likely cross most mountain areas. Unseasonably warm temperatures. The weather stays mixed into early October.