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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Cold
Air temperature near or below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Cold
Air temperature near or below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 24th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 23rd Oct 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold northerly winds gale force across Scottish mountains. Showery in the north, most frequent precipitation for the Cairngorms, turning to snow on higher tops. Drier with some sun SW Highlands. Areas of rain extend into Borders and northern England with time. Frequently showery in Wales, particularly south.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, severe higher terrain. Frequent rain, later snow on tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly soon strengthening 35 to 45mph, often 50mph higher areas by mid-late morning soonest in north, reaching 55-60mph at times afternoon Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis; squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Generally arduous walking becoming difficult conditions over the mountains, affecting balance and mobility. Significant becoming severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, frequent rain, becoming summit snow especially north
Frequent precipitation, more constant much of the day north-facing areas, including at times running down the west coast to Skye. Sleet or later mainly snow on higher tops above 900m, from dusk 700-800m, soonest in north.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest in showers and north
Whilst bases will vary, be prepared for poor conditions with extensive hill fog. Bases widely around 500-700m, but lower at times in the north. Highest breaks most often toward Kintail, but often capping high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, rare brief sun mainly toward Kintail. Visibility frequently poor due to rain, very poor in summit snow later.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, but lowering to 0C in the north later. Feeling like -15C in the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
Close to highest tops, lowering to 900-1000m later afternoon, lowest soonest in far north, widely 800-900m after dark.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 25th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 23rd Oct 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 35 to 55mph, sustained speeds strongest over northern hills; squally gusts widely in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for arduous conditions, difficult mobility higher up. Significant wind chill, severe on high tops.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, snow upper slopes
Frequent showers moving in on the northerly winds. Snow falling as low as 500-600m at first, but level to which snow falls will rise to 800-900m. Sometimes hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher slopes
Fairly extensive coverage across higher slopes above 700-900m, at times down to 500m Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis. Best breaks southern areas near Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly toward Great Glen. Visibility ranging from very good to poor or very poor as showers come and go.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to -2C, small rise during daytime, but feeling closer to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
700 to 900m, highest near coast and into the afternoon more widely for a time.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 26th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 23rd Oct 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwest turning west or briefly SW'ly afternoon; 25 to 40mph, a window of lower speeds, but risk increasing again.
Effect of the wind on you?
Conditions likely to vary; a period when fairly small, but then risk more challenging again. Prepare for considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow showers on tops, then steady rain
A few showers moving inland from the west coast in the morning, locally more frequent, snow falling above 700m. Tending to merge into more constant precipitation, turning sleet possibly rain to highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied on tops, becoming extensive
Cloud banks most frequent over western hills early in the day, bases 700-900m, some breaks in east. Filling in and lowering from west in rain, widely 600-800m, but 500m or lower near west coast with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% dropping to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any early sun weak, high cloud thickens to become overcast. Visibility starting good away from showers, becoming poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to +2C afternoon. If exposed to stronger winds, feeling like -10C.
Freezing Level
800m, plus frost in some inland glens at dawn. Rising near/above high tops afternoon-evening, then 1100m into night.
Planning Outlook
A cold weekend; higher summits close to freezing point in England and Wales and below in Scotland. Substantially dry on many mountains but areas of frequent showers (hail and snow), mainly NW and W Highlands (where wind close to gale on Saturday) and north and west Wales. By Sunday afternoon, increasing threat of rain setting in on many western mountains - ahead of a less cold but often windy and wet few days. Westerly winds prevail, later in week trending southerly.