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.)
Sunday'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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Sunday 4th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A weakening warm front will gradually bring low cloud to western hills of NW England and Wales. Blustery N England. In Scotland, widespread gales; in the NW & W Highlands, heavy rain and fog, but only occasional rain eastern and southern Scottish mountains.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Persistent upland gales, rain and fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 50-60mph on higher exposed areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking extensively difficult. Any mobility may be a challenge in places.
How Wet?
Raining most or all day, particularly south of Ullapool.
Almost incessant rain soon setting in. The rain more intermittent and less heavy on hills near Great Glen to Ben Wyvis, and also near and north of Ullapool.
Cloud on the hills?
Foggy across the mountains all day
Persistent low cloud penetrating inland from about dawn will persist all day, forming on some coastal cliffs and inland from just above valleys. Well inland (and away from immediate west coast in north) most cloud above 600m, sometimes higher easternmost hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine very unlikely. Visibility frequently poor, particularly western mountains south of Ullapool.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C. Will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 5th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly typically 40mph, but where exposed on higher summits sometimes 55mph. Sudden gusts some lower slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking where exposed: balance strenuous in sudden gusts (some reaching lower slopes), and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most or all day
Overnight rain, concentrated on more western mountains (especially those near Skye), may well persist most or all day - though probably only occasional rain from about Torridon northwards (precise edge of the drier weather uncertain)..
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog - possibly improvement in cloud base from north.
High likelihood of persistent fog: near coasts with the sea to the SW, from 200 to 400m upward, whilst elsewhere above typically 600m (800m Ben Wyvis). Chance of higher cloud base, typically 450 to 650m north from about Torridon
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively dull and misty. Chance isolated pockets of sun easternmost lower slopes and valleys - but even here hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C, but drop toward 4C northern mountains. Feeling like minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly between 20 and 30mph, strongest Sutherland where perhaps 35mph for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill in much colder air. Balance impacted by the wind, particularly near showers. Strenuous walking directly in the wind.
How Wet?
Snow and hail showers
Succession of hail and snow showers; some heavy and squally mainly Wester Ross and Skye. Snow will lie above 900 or 1000m.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently covering higher slopes; forming lower down near precipitation.
Near showers, shafts of cloud below 600m, perhaps temporarily 400m, mainly near the coast. Otherwise cloud base 650 to occasionally 900m (the higher base generally confined to more eastern areas).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine. Very varied visibility; often very good, but abruptly very poor, temporarily appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, but will feel as cold as minus 8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain at some stage more or less daily on most mountain areas through the coming week. However, total rainfall small, and frequently dry E & S Wales and S Pennines. Frequently windy Scottish Highlands, whilst progressively southwards, periods of strong winds will less frequent. A brief period of colder less windy weather around the middle of next week brings snow showers to some northern mountains.