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.)
Sunday'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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
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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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 6th September 2026
Last updated
Sat 5th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales spread widely across Scotland, severe over high north and west tops. Drizzle over the Highlands, rainy early and late, wettest Northwest Highlands. Early showery rain over Wales passes into England, clearing northeast for sun through high cloud afternoon; windy here too. Warm, but feeling chilly in wind.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe gales most of the day; frequent rain and drizzle
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to 65mph, trending towards higher speeds as the day goes, gusts reaching up to 75mph for a period over the Cuillin.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly challenging conditions on exposed terrain, particularly along west coast where strongest afternoon gusts will blow you around, even on the ground. Considerable wind chill despite mild air.
How Wet?
Rain, drizzle most of day
Persistent drizzle across most hills all day, frequently raining too, mostly Skye and western hills. A window of more broken rain afternoon, but staying damp Skye and nearby, and several pulses of rain returning later. Streams in spate.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive west, varied north
Blanket low cloud across many mountains in the west, to lower slopes in rain, particularly the south Cuillin where unlikely lifting above low slopes; higher bases inland and northeastwards, a brief window of local breaks approaching tops Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Practically nil Skye; 30% for a time Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Poor visibility in rain, becoming hazy along the coast too.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 to 12C, humid all day, rising on some slopes to 14C, then cooling into night. Feeling near to 0C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 7th September 2026
Last updated
Sat 5th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph, generally strongest over west hills, and rising, gusts to 80mph into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions with buffeting from lower elevations upward. Any mobility very challenging high up. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent to prolonged rain west
Showery rain, sometimes merging into prolonged falls of heavy rain, particularly western hills Skye to Wester Ross. Chance of thunder. 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 coastal slopes up to Wester Ross, at times 600m. Higher breaks further inland and eastwards, briefly above tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny glimpses, mainly east. Hazy particularly west, visibility widely poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, little change all day. 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
Sat 5th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 55-70mph, strongest early, powerful gusts to 80mph+; shifting northwesterly and lessening somewhat.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely difficult conditions with buffeting and significant wind chill; effects lessening but walking remains arduous.
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.
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 Ben Wyvis to Easter Ross, but also returning widely.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare bright glimpses eastern hills. 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.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled onward into next week with spells of rain and showers moving in from the Atlantic, accompanied by frequently 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. A few high pressure ridges will briefly bring brighter drier spells: Wednesday likely sees a brief good weather window, though cloud moves into the west with time, and indications suggest another window may arise Friday into Saturday, though this remains uncertain. Longer settled windows forming from mid-month, particularly England and Wales. Temperatures will be generally near or above average, best sunny windows around east hill groups.