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.)
Friday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather 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 8 to 12C 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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather 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 8 to 12C 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
Friday 29th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 28th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain frequent or persistent for western Scotland most of the day, some slow-moving heavy bursts, these extending increasingly eastwards over the Highlands. Clusters of showery rain over western England and Wales will drift eastwards during the day on fresh and gusty winds.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Wettest around Skye, increasingly showery. Mostly light wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable in the morning 10-15mph, trending westerly later, may increase a little on Skye to 15-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small. Notable gusts around afternoon thundery showers.
How Wet?
Often raining, risk thunder later
Rain frequent throughout the day Skye and Wester Ross, but increasingly widely showery bursts forming. Into afternoon, downpours particularly inland with local thunder inland. Far north may escape more often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable patches, increasing in rain
From dawn, patchy cloud banks at various heights from middle slopes up; more extensive on and near Skye. Bases tending to rise and at times breaking towards tops, though more extensive banks return during and after rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Chance of glimpses of sun though often dull. Visibility often poor in cloud and rain, though very good during breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 30th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 28th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 10-20mph first, turning southeasterly and rising, to 40-60mph afternoon, strongest and soonest on Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small early in day, but deteriorating to make walking more strenuous, balance increasingly challenging, especially Cuillin.
How Wet?
Rain sets in from the south later
From dawn, spots of drizzly rain here and there, more frequent southern Cuillin and nearby. Largely dry inland for many hours. Rain sets in from the south later, becoming widespread and heavy for several hours into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy on high areas, filling in later
From dawn, patchy banks of cloud above 700-800m, high tops likely capped; high Cuillin ridge likely in cloud too. May slightly improve for a time, though later fills in extensively from the south as rain sets in.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun through high cloud from dawn, gradually turning overcast. Good visibility, turning poor in rain later.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C, little change all day. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 31st August 2025
Last updated
Thu 28th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 35 to 50mph, but on Skye and nearby coastal mountains often 50-60mph, risk stronger gusts for periods.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions widely, often difficult mobility on western mountains, gusts could knock you over.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, showery
Often raining all day Skye and possibly most western mountains, but widely showery at least; heavy bursts mixed in. Eastern hills have greater chance of being drier for periods.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent around Skye
Cloud base varying, but extensively shrouding western mountains above 600-800 during rain, some patches to lower slopes at times. Best of higher breaks further north and eastwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% Skye, to 30% north/east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun mostly north/east. General haze west, poor in rain; better visibility east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, little change all day. Wind chill feeling like -5C in exposure.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
An unsettled weekend ahead driven by low pressure to the west/north of Scotland. Brisk westerlies will drive showery rain onto western mountains, at times drifting eastwards. Some local thundery downpours may arise. Saturday in particular will be very windy with widespread risk of gales and heavy rain setting in from the southwest. Sunny periods will arise between weather features, greatest chance in eastern areas later in the weekend and early next week. Next week stays mixed with low pressure in charge, frequent rain or showers continuing. Some improvement later in the week as pressure tends to rise.