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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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
Thursday 24th September 2026
Last updated
Wed 23rd Sep 26 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southerly gales develop widely over Scottish mountains, becoming severe northwest coastal tops. A little rain moves northeast, then more persistent rain sets in for western mountains, turning heavier. Wind strengthens too for England & Wales, generally dry and hills clear, sun giving way to a veil of upper cloud.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales strengthen, severe western tops; rain sets in west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 25-40mph from dawn, but already strengthening rapidly over western mountains, to 50-60mph, soonest Skye, reaching 70mph over higher western tops afternoon; powerful downslope gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking soon challenging, notably west, gusts knocking you off your feet, any mobility increasingly very difficult most high terrain; feeling chilly despite mild temperature.
How Wet?
A little rain, heavier west later in day
Drizzle and patchy rain most common on Skye, sometimes spreading more widely, but most mainland Munros often dry into the afternoon. Rain increasingly sets in Skye afternoon, then spreads widely later, heavier for a few hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clear morning, gradually increasing
A few patches graze the Cuillin through morning, but most hills stay clear. Through afternoon, banks more often covering the Cuillin, spreading more widely and filling in over high terrain with time, lowering towards 600-700m Cuillin later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%, lowering to 30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of early sun, weakened by high cloud, trending cloudier. Very good visibility, a little coastal haze building, poorer later.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 9C afternoon, tending to then lower onward into night. Feeling as cold as -5C in strongest wind later.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 25th September 2026
Last updated
Wed 23rd Sep 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, lessening a little toward Great Glen.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions and frequent buffeting on exposed terrain knocking you off balance; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Rain 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. Rain more persistent into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent west
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.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% west to 60% east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mostly inland and east. 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
Wed 23rd Sep 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 50mph, strongest sustained speeds over west coast mountains.
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.
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, little change all day. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
South to southwesterly winds prevail onward into the weekend and next week. Some rain drifting in from the Atlantic, a mix of drizzle, some showery falls, and locally steadier rain at times over western mountains. Cloud often shrouding hills, best of breaks toward east and north. Generally mild air, but prepare for marked chill factor on tops due to often strong winds, gales for periods over high terrain, most sustained in Scotland. Into mid-next week, risk of a more widespread gale, or severe gale over higher mountains. Higher pressure then tends to expand further over the country into the start of October for drier and quite warm weather.