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

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Mon 14th Jul 25 at 4:00PM
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Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 15th July 2025
Last updated Mon 14th Jul 25 at 4:00PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Heavy and persistent rain for England, Wales and southern Scotland, breaking up into thundery showers into the afternoon. Windy too, gale force over Welsh mountains. Some rain reaches north of the central belt, but most of the Highlands stays dry, with early low cloud rising and the wind mostly light. Much cooler than recently.

Headline for The Northwest Highlands

Mostly light wind. Some early rain in north, cloud lifting.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Easterly or variable, 10 to 15mph, at times 20mph in far north. With time turning down the west coast, 15-20mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Small

How Wet?

Early patchy rain, possible showers

Possibly thundery rain in north up to dawn, may leave remnants of rain for a few hours early morning across Sutherland. In afternoon, risk isolated slow-moving heavy showers, mostly inland areas.

Cloud on the hills?

Cloud at different heights, lifting

Fairly extensive banks of cloud to lower slopes in morning, some slopes may emerge between or above cloud layers early in day before cloud lifts upslope. Many hills fully clearing, patches returning locally in showers.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

30% rising to 70%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Some sun through cloud layers, may brighten up, but expect high cloud. Misty morning in places, visibility otherwise very good.

How Cold? (at 900m)

9 or 10C, small variation all day.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 16th July 2025
Last updated Mon 14th Jul 25 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Variable direction 10mph or less.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible

How Wet?

Rain unlikely

Chance of an isolated shower, mainly inland afternoon.

Cloud on the hills?

Scope for inversion in morning

Possibly extensive low level cloud around coastal areas which may be slow to clear, higher terrain above the cloud sheet. Some cloud banks drifting upslope, tending to disperse, but locally may linger in north.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

80%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Areas of cloud and sun, some coastal hills misty to mid slopes, but visibility excellent out of cloud.

How Cold? (at 900m)

9C rising to 12C, locally 14C well inland afternoon.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 17th July 2025
Last updated Mon 14th Jul 25 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

South or southeasterly, 15 to 25mph, strongest around Skye and nearby coast on the mainland, at times 30mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Blustery on western mountains, affecting balance in places on exposed ridges. Fairly small further north and east.

How Wet?

Rain and drizzle

Drizzle most frequent on Skye, feeling damp much of day where in cloud. Occasional pulses of steadier rain moving northwards, may set in for longer on western hills.

Cloud on the hills?

Murky around Skye, clearer north/east

Low cloud persistent across Skye and coastal Wester Ross, may fill in west coastal hills further north too. Covering Cuillin to lower elevations southern areas. Inland Sutherland generally much clearer.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

10% on/near Skye, to 70% north inland.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Little or no sun, at best weak through high cloud toward east. Misty poor visibility west coast near Skye. Generally good eastern areas.

How Cold? (at 900m)

10 to 12C, increasingly humid.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Planning Outlook

Dry for many on Wednesday, chance of a very isolated afternoon shower. Humidity rises on Thursday with drizzly rain and low cloud particularly in western regions. A mixed outlook, as slack low pressure drifts slowly over the British Isles, giving scope for slow-moving showers and possible thundery downpours, these most extensive over England and Wales around the weekend. Staying fairly warm, quite humid.