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.)
Monday'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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Monday 7th September 2026
Last updated
Sun 6th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showers in west Scotland from dawn, spreading east. Gales across the highlands, severe northwest, feeling cold. Early rain in England and Wales breaks for sun through high cloud, windy in the north. Prolonged rain arrives into south Scotland from midday, spreading into north England with time, and later Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Showers and gales, deteriorating trend
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45 to 55mph, generally strongest over west hills, and strengthening, sustained speeds to 60mph over highest northern tops, gusts approaching 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions from dawn, deteriorating into difficult conditions fairly widely, buffeting from middle slopes upward and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers
Showers much of the day, some heavy bursts and occasionally merging into prolonged falls, particularly Skye to Wester Ross. Least rain reaching east, but tending to increase with time, more widespread falls overnight. Very wet underfoot and streams in spate.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent west coast hills
Often capping higher western areas, bases varying around rain, but rarely above 800m on west coastal slopes up to Wester Ross, at times 600m, most persistently lower over the Cuillin. Higher breaks further inland and eastwards, above tops during drier windows.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% west coast, to 50% east summits
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, more often cloudy from Skye to Wester Ross but a few sunny glimpses break out. Varied visibility, most often poor west coast in cloud, rain, and haze; sometimes very good east hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, may rise a degree on hills east of Ullapool. Feeling like -7 to -10C in the wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 8th September 2026
Last updated
Sun 6th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 50-60mph, gusts to 70mph highest tops; trending northerly, generally lessening, some variability.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions to start, buffeting and significant wind chill; effects lessen variably, though staying strenuous.
How Wet?
Rain rarely ceases
A near constant stream of showers spills onto the Munros from the north and west, some bursts of hail and sometimes merging into persistent, extended spells of rain. Breaking up somewhat later.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanket cloud across the west coast hills rarely breaking above 500-600m, and often lower during heavier rain. May occasionally rise higher from Ben Wyvis to Easter Ross, but also returning widely. Beginning to break up later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare bright glimpses, more as sunset approaches. Largely poor visibility, hazy towards west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C. Feeling like -5 to -7C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 9th September 2026
Last updated
Sun 6th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 25-35mph, easing, shifting westerly, 15mph afternoon and locally less.
Effect of the wind on you?
A blustery start and feeling chilly, easing to small effects.
How Wet?
Few showers
Spotty showers drift onto the Munros from the north and west, all quite light, and tending to fade with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to summits with breaks for a time
May start fairly extensive near and north of Ullapool from middle slopes upward. Patchier south and around Skye, and tending to lift and break up, just passing banks over high summits. May more frequently graze the western summits into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine breaking out, extended sunny windows forming. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, slight rise Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross. Feeling like -5C in direct wind early, wind chill effect easing.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled through next week with spells of rain and showers moving in from the Atlantic, accompanied by strong to gale force mountain winds. Temperatures will vary, mildest toward the south, but cooler air moves in from the north at times bringing higher Scottish tops occasionally close to freezing point, feeling cold in the wind chill. A few high pressure ridges bring settled windows, notably afternoons of Wednesday and Friday; northwestern areas, particularly in Scotland, will tend to hold onto some hill cloud despite high pressure. An unsettled weekend is indicated, followed by a rising chance of longer settled windows from mid-month, particularly England and Wales. Temperatures will be generally near or above average, best sunny windows east hill groups.