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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
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.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
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 14th April 2026
Last updated
Mon 13th Apr 26 at
4:17PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy light rain and fog soon spread into Wales from the south, soon windy too, briefly gales. Starting sunny elsewhere, high cloud spreads north over England, later into central Scotland. Patchy rain into Lakeland to the west Highlands later, wind strengthens, gales coastal west Highlands. Northern Scotland stays sunny.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Mostly sunny; increasingly windy, gales Skye for a time
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 10-20mph, some directional variability. Gradually strengthening and trending southeasterly, later 30-45mph, strongest Skye, approaching 50mph dusk; powerful gusts downslope to the northwest too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small from dawn, increasingly blustery, particularly western mountains; walking mostly arduous later, balance challenged in gusts and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Late patchy rain from the southwest
Later afternoon, a rising risk of patchy rain onto Skye and nearby. Patches will slowly spread more widely as evening approaches, perhaps more frequent into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Fragments of cloud around some slopes early morning, also mist in some glens at first. Dispersing to leave hills clear likely all of daylight. Fleeting patches return to high terrain of Skye as evening approaches, spreading more widely overnight.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine into at least early afternoon, high cloud then building from the south, increasingly weakening the sun through afternoon. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 4C or 5C, a degree milder northern west coast. Staying elevated into nighttime. Feeling colder as wind strengthens, later in day risk chill factor feels like -10C.
Freezing Level
900-1000m early in day, lowest south and west where a light frost in inland glens around dawn. Soon rising above tops, further rising through the day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 15th April 2026
Last updated
Mon 13th Apr 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 45-60mph, powerful gusts, not just high slopes, locally variable direction; may east somewhat later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions with significant wind chill in exposure all day; constant chaotic gusts making it difficult to stay on your feet.
How Wet?
Frequently raining
Rain fairly widespread in the morning, local heavy falls, trending patchier to the east and north, staying drizzly on southern high terrain. Rain more persistent on Skye, perhaps more widely again later in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some improvement inland/north
Widely extensive to mid-slopes from dawn, to lower slopes in many places, particularly south Cuillin. A lifting trend in bases, perhaps higher terrain Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope, an odd summit break. Skye stays well shrouded, and later more widely shrouded again.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of weak afternoon sun, but otherwise mostly cloudy. Mixed visibility, often poor in cloud/drizzle but very good where out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, mildest north, locally 8C, cooling sharply into night. Feeling as cold as -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits all day, lowering to around 1100m overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 16th April 2026
Last updated
Mon 13th Apr 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-35mph, strongest south, a general easing trend, to 25-30mph, some variability.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure most of the day, notably early where walking more strenuous and feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Early rain, then west coast showers
Frequent showers onto Skye and the west coast, more scattered inland, drizzly on high terrain early as well. Rain may be more widespread in the early morning with a risk of hail and thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to summits north and east
Cloud shrouds high tops at dawn, bases at 600-900m, lowest in the south, locally 400-500m southern aspects. Bases lift with time, breaks to northern tops probable, also east. Fewest breaks Skye/Torridon where bases rarely above 700-800m until late.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 50% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine breaking out afternoon to the north and east. Visibility increasingly excellent where rain and cloud dissipate.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising to 3C, locally 4C Ben Wyvis. Suddenly cooler in showers. Feeling like -8 to -10C in early wind.
Freezing Level
May just touch highest tops at dawn, soon lifting above all summits.
Planning Outlook
Milder from Wednesday into the weekend, but Scottish high tops below freezing at times, locally lower in the northwest. Unsettled conditions in the immediate near-term with showers (sometimes heavy with hail and lightning), occasionally more persistent rain, accompanied by often gusty winds, gales over mountains for periods, but also brighter spells between rain. With spring sunshine, temperatures will tend to rise several degrees during daylight, often becoming warm in the valleys; slopes north of major hill groups often milder. Saturday sees continued showers, mostly north and west, but higher pressure gradually builds through late weekend into early next week, bringing fewer showers and lighter winds; chilly overnight, but fairly mild spring days. Confidence is low regarding how long high pressure will establish.