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.)
Saturday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 4 to 8C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 4 to 8C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 9th August 2025
Last updated
Fri 8th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy, gales over Scottish mountains and highest tops in northern England throughout the day. A cold front brings a band of showery rain, weakening as it moves southwards. Showery much of the day in western Scotland, scattered heavy showers advancing east over the Highlands. Feeling chilly on tops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe gales on high mountains. Showery and varied cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50-60mph, gusts 70mph high tops in morning, moderating slightly to 40-50mph gusts 60mph afternoon; peak speeds most sustained over more northern mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking over exposed terrain, balance difficult, gusts could knock you over especially in morning when for periods any mobility very difficult higher up. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, wettest in west
Heavy overnight rain clears south around dawn, but showery rain follows throughout the daytime, frequent rain continuing around Skye, some heavy bursts moving eastwards across the region.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher slopes, some rise of base
Covering higher western mountains most of the day, varied bases in and out of rain 600 to 800m, though cloud base tending to lift. Some breaks above 900-1000m mostly inland/east in the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly east. Visibility varied, intermittently poor in rain, sometimes good or very good inland; hazier near west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, little change all day. Feeling like -7 to -10C in wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 10th August 2025
Last updated
Fri 8th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30-40mph for a few hours from dawn, easing a little 20-25mph, turning southwesterly; by evening 40-45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and feeling cold early in day, lessening through middle of day, but into evening likely to deteriorate.
How Wet?
Drizzle west fades; rain later
Drizzly showers on and off near west coast for a few hours, mostly morning, fading. Toward evening, persistent rain moving in from southwest, heavier from dusk into night, soonest Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest west, some breaks afternoon
Cloud banks fairly persistent on west coastal mountains in the morning, to some mid-slopes. Cloud more broken inland and north, but patches often capping tops. Some breaks forming afternoon, then cloud lowering evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% west coast, 40% inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly eastern areas. Misty morning around west coast hills, visibility good below cloud elsewhere.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, rising a little inland afternoon, and slightly warmer onward into evening. Feeling below freezing in wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 11th August 2025
Last updated
Fri 8th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly, easing slightly from 30-35mph early morning to 25mph afternoon, perhaps less later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking particularly in morning, feeling rather cool; lessening with time, though likely breezy all day.
How Wet?
Rain or drizzle, most of day west
Rain persistent and heavy for periods, most likely in the morning Skye to Kintail area, may fade to drizzle and becoming patchy, but risk staying wet most western mountains all day. Less rain east/far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanket low cloud across the hills, from lower slopes up Skye to coastal Wester Ross, 500-600m further inland. Local higher bases and more broken cloud possible further north if away from rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun unlikely most areas, possible weak sun through high cloud far north, where visibility good if dry. Misty all day most west coast hills around Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, coolest north, little change all day. Feeling near or below freezing on high tops early in day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A ridge of high pressure expands briefly northwards on Sunday - most places dry all day, variable cloud and some warm sun. A front moves in from the southwest later and will affect Scotland into Monday with rain, drizzle and low cloud, also damp and misty at least on Monday morning for the Lakes. Very warm and humid over England and Wales in the first half of the week, but this comes with a risk of thundery bursts of rain drifting northeastwards. Less warm for Scotland, though humid for a time. Later in the week, southwesterlies prevail in Scotland, low cloud often covering western hills, but small amounts of rain. Higher pressure further south, mostly dry and warm England, Wales & S/E Scotland.