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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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
Thursday 22nd October 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Oct 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong winds early in the day, gale force particularly toward the Cairngorms, lessening to lower speeds with time for all areas. Some early rain and upland snow in northeast Scotland clears. A few showers near west coasts fade. Cloud breaks above many tops with some sunshine, but remaining chilly all day.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strongest winds ease. Rain/snow north fades, a few showers west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30-40mph from dawn, strongest toward north/east, easing during morning to typically 20-25mph over most western mountains, but far north and east stays nearer 30-35mph afternoon. Shifting SW'ly afternoon then southerly into night, 20-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and considerable wind chill early morning, walking more arduous on some high terrain for a time. Becoming fairly small, but still marked chill on high terrain.
How Wet?
Early rain, snow tops, fades to showers
Overnight rain and snow above 800m fades to become patchier around dawn, soon confined mainly to far north. A scattering of showers follow over western hills, snow mostly confined above 900m by middle of day. More often dry many places into afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Most often capping high western tops
Varying cloud banks mostly around 900-1000m on Skye and nearby mountains. Cloud regularly lowering towards 700m in showers. By mid-morning, cloud more often broken toward or above tops further north and east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Skye, to 60% north and east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, longer sunny windows develop with time north and east. Often very good but reduced in showers and early precipitation, some coastal haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C lifting to 2 or 3C. Feeling like -10C in direct wind early in day, then nearer -5C.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, lifting to just above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 23rd October 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Oct 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Starting southeasterly 15-25mph, will vary and may lessen, then shifting northwesterly, 30-35mph, first Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Highly variable, fairly small at times, but likely quite blustery later in the day with considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day, snow tops
Rain onto southern areas from before dawn soon spreads northward; Sutherland may see a brief dry window just after sunrise. Rain spreads fairly widely and turns to sleet/snow on highest tops with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Low cloud spreads northward from dawn, soon widely shrouding all upper terrain, down to middle slopes and locally lower slopes in heaviest rain. Some northwestern areas may see varied bases up to 700m or higher, but any summit breaks unlikely. Beginning to break from the west later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely overcast and dull. Poor visibility, though locally better if out of cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 2C to start, lowering to 0C. Feeling as cold as -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Will vary around the high tops, may later lower to around 900m or lower.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 24th October 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Oct 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly, rising rapidly from dawn to be soon 40mph, reaching 60-70mph+ as the day goes on.
Effect of the wind on you?
Deteriorating, may soon be arduous walking on exposed terrain, significant wind chill; increasingly severe conditions.
How Wet?
Heavy rain sets in
Dry start, for longest in east, but soon patchy rain in west becomes persistent, briefly snow highest tops, then all rain, setting in widely heavy, continuing through afternoon. Showery into night, snow tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowering to become extensive
Initially most cloud above the hills, apart from odd patches at varied heights. Increasingly cloud will lower onto hills, forming to lower elevations coastal areas near Skye; some higher breaks remain in more north and eastern areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% at first, dropping to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any weak sun at dawn soon gives way to overcast and increasingly dull conditions. Good visibility soon becomes hazy and then poor visibility as rain sets in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising briefly up to 5C afternoon, then falling again to 1C into evening. Feeling around -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1000m plus patchy frost some inland glens at dawn; rising above all summits during the morning; lowering evening-night.
Planning Outlook
A deep area of low pressure moves toward northwest Scotland into the weekend to bring widespread rain and gales, stormy conditions develop over many mountains, the strongest sustained winds over Scottish tops into Sunday in excess of 70-80mph with more powerful gusts. Temperature will vary, briefly above freezing to all tops, then back just below zero on Scottish Munros by Sunday with frequent showers of hail and snow on high mountains. Atlantic west-southwesterlies remain dominant next week, bringing several low pressure systems with rain and wind, punctuated by brief clearer windows.