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.)
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Wednesday 21st October 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Oct 26 at
4:29PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Slow-moving areas of cloud and rain make for variable conditions fairly widely. A swathe of gales sweeps across Wales, later into England with heavy rain and low cloud. Brighter, showery weather follows into Wales later. Several pulses of rain in Scotland; steady falls in the east through morning, tending to lessen.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Varied conditions: often raining, generally blustery, briefly lighter
How windy? (On the Munros)
Highly variable, south-southeasterly 20-30mph at first, stronger gusts far north, then a lull, later westerly 20-25mph, though a swathe of gusts up to 35mph locally too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often blustery in exposure and feeling chilly, though perhaps a period of fairly small effects.
How Wet?
Often raining
Several areas of rain slowly drifting around the region, possibly dry for a few early hours Skye and Wester Ross, but rain will move in from the west to this area too, pushing east and turning to snow on high Munros into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly fairly extensive
Covering many higher mountains, varied bases, lowest around rain to 600-700m, or lower in the east in the morning. Some areas may see brief windows of broken cloud, notably coastal Wester Ross, but then likely more extensive afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some brighter moments west, rare sun through high cloud. Visibility often poor, but a few windows of better visibility when dry and out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C most of morning, dropping from midday to 1C, or 0C overnight. Feeling nearer -5C if exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but into evening lowering toward freezing on highest tops, towards 900m overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 22nd October 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Oct 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-25mph, gusty; trending south-southeasterly into/overnight and notably strengthening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small during daylight, a few blustery moments in exposure and feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Few showers, snow on summits
Showers drift onto Skye and nearby hills , some risk clustering and spreading north along the coast and inland, but plentiful dry windows near Ben Wyvis. Falling as snow to 700m, this rising to just summits.
Cloud on the hills?
Capping south and west Munros
Cloud will rarely break above 900-1000m on Skye and nearby mountains. Cloud regularly lowering towards 700m in showers, some lengthy cloudy periods on Skye. Cloud more often broken northward, particularly towards Easter Ross/Caithness.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Skye, to 60% north and east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, longer sunny windows north and east. Often very good but suddenly poor, or very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C lifting to 2 or 3C. Feeling like -5 to -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, lifting to just above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 23rd October 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Oct 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Starting southeasterly 15-25mph, will vary and may lessen, then shifting northwesterly, 30-35mph, first Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Highly variable, fairly small at times, but likely quite blustery later in the day with considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Rain onto southern areas from before dawn soon spreads northward; Sutherland may see a brief dry window just after sunrise. Rain spreads fairly widely and may turn to sleet/snow on highest tops with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Low cloud spreads northward from dawn, soon widely shrouding all upper terrain, down to middle slopes and locally lower slopes in heaviest rain. Some northwestern areas may see varied bases up to 700m or higher, but any summit breaks unlikely. Beginning to break from the west later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely overcast and dull. Poor visibility, though locally better if out of cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 2C to start, lowering to 0C. Feeling as cold as -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Will vary around the high tops, may later lower to around 900m or lower.
Planning Outlook
Thursday offers a window of brighter weather, a few showers will linger on west coastal areas, particularly west Scottish highlands. Thursday evening into Friday sees a deep area of low pressure move across England & Wales. The exact track of the low remains uncertain, but expect periods of heavy rain widely, turning to snow on high Scottish summits. Varied wind, perhaps a lull in some north areas on Friday, but gales soon sweep into Wales and gradually spread widely. Varied conditions follow over the weekend: another brief window of high pressure on Saturday morning, followed by another area of low pressure for widespread rain and gales. Atlantic westerlies remain dominant next week, bringing several low pressure systems with rain and wind, punctuated by brief clearer windows.