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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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
Friday 19th September 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Mostly dry and blustery for Scottish Highlands; cloud, some showers, and risk of gales on west coast tops. Persistent cloud and rain for southern Scotland, north England, and north Wales with a similar risk of gales on highest tops. Rain more patchy south Pennines and south Wales, some cloud breaks to inland summits.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Cloud and gales likely along west coast; occasional showers
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 45mph, risk up to 50mph over coastal mountains and toward the far north; may ease a little near Great Glen. Risk becoming widely above 50mph into nighttime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking conditions with balance affected over exposed higher terrain - may be difficult at times near the west coast. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Early rain, then few scattered showers
Showery rain across most areas at and before dawn soon clears to the northeast. Only scattered showers follow, greatest chance around Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive coastal slopes, high breaks well east
Cloud shrouding most higher ground near the west coast, more patchy and higher bases inland around 900-1000m. Base will be lower during rain. Occasional higher breaks to or above tops from Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%; 50% eastern tops
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak sunshine through high cloud. Mostly good visibility, at times poor around showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, always warmest on eastern mountains. Feeling as cold as -8C in direct wind near the coast.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 20th September 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Forecast details uncertain. Variable northeasterly, rising to 35-50mph by evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking becoming arduous, possibly difficult later with balance challenges. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Light showers from the north
Occasional light showers from the north, falling as snow flurries on high ground in the afternoon. Some risk of more frequent rain along the coast for a few hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy on high ground, particularly coasts
From dawn, patchy cloud at various levels, tending to be more extensive along north/west coasts. Breaks to tops may become regular inland. Should heavier rain arrive, cloud will merge, lower and become more extensive.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best in the north; may be weakened by extensive high cloud. Good visibility, though some haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C from dawn, lowing to 2C; highest summits likely to be below freezing in the afternoon. Feeling -12C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits in the morning, dropping to 1100-1000m by the afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 21st September 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 40-50mph. Easing through the day towards 30-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or strenuous conditions much of the day, difficult in the morning. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, mostly north and west
Showers drift onto mountains along the north and west coasts, tending to push inland for a time afternoon. Some risk a mroe concentrated band of showers early. Falling as snow/sleet on high ground, down to 900m near Ben Hope.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to tops, best inland
Banks of cloud on high terrain at dawn, most extensive along north and west coast slopes. Bases tending to lift and break, clearing many tops, though returning in showers. Coastal tops less frequently exposed.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy or frequent sun, particularly on low slopes under passing cloud bases. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C; coolest on mountains from Ullapool northward to Ben Hope. Feeling as cold as -15C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled weekend ahead as low pressure brings heavy rain to England and southern Scotland on Saturday with strong winds. Conditions increasingly wet underfoot with streams in spate - some flooding is likely. A northerly wind in Scotland begins to draw unseasonably cold air into the Highlands, bringing freezing levels down to high terrain. Cold air flows into into England and Wales through Sunday on a strong wind - wind chills in direct exposure may reach as low as -10 to -15C. Some showers into northern Scotland on Monday will fade for a substantially dry week ahead with good sunny breaks for many. Temperatures staying cool but slowing rising day-by-day.