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.)
Today's Forecast
Moderate breeze, fairly small impact, but chilly
A noticeable breeze, feeling distinctly chilly. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Drizzle
Light rain or drizzle, total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Cool
Temperatures above freezing but typically no higher than +5C over the tops - if exposed to brisk winds will feel sub-zero. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
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Moderate breeze, fairly small impact, but chilly
A noticeable breeze, feeling distinctly chilly. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Drizzle
Light rain or drizzle, total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Cool
Temperatures above freezing but typically no higher than +5C over the tops - if exposed to brisk winds will feel sub-zero. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 20th April 2024
Last updated
Fri 19th Apr 24 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Most places dry all day with variable cloud and sun. Winds fairly light, but feeling chilly if exposed over higher terrain. Locally breezier in northern Scotland. A weak front drifting in from the northwest brings a little rain or drizzle to the northern Highlands mainly into afternoon.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
A little rain developing, mainly north. Moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, at times southwesterly on coastal mountains in west; 15 to 25mph, often strongest northern areas, possibly also Skye. Sometimes 30mph Ben Hope. Gusty in places on some mid-slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for marked wind chill where exposed on higher terrain. Blustery on some higher and middle slopes, may start to affect balance on exposed ridges. Locally often fairly small effects.
How Wet?
Patchy rain mostly afternoon and north
Mostly dry early in the day. A little drizzly rain moving in from the northwest with time, becoming locally more persistent during afternoon, mainly Sutherland where some steadier rain for a time, but total amounts small.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering some hills, lowering in rain
Varied banks of cloud over some higher slopes in the morning, mainly western areas. Breaks to tops best Kintail to Great Glen. Where rain develops, cloud lowering further, risk filling in across hills especially Ullapool northward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, dropping to 20% in rain in north
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun early in the day, best toward the east. Thickening high cloud layers, turning increasingly overcast. Visibility very good, but reducing where rain occurs.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Near 0C at first, rising to 3 to 5C afternoon, coolest Ben Hope area. Wind chill feeling like -4 to -8C, coldest in the morning.
Freezing Level
Slight frost inland glens plus some sheltered higher areas at first. Otherwise above freezing to highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 21st April 2024
Last updated
Fri 19th Apr 24 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Risk southwesterly 30mph, especially coastal areas north from Ullapool. May be variable and lower speeds.
Effect of the wind on you?
Possibility of being blustery mainly northern areas. Perhaps more often small.
How Wet?
Little or no precipitation
Chance of local pockets of drizzle mainly in Sutherland early in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
May largely clear
Banks of cloud around some higher slopes in the morning, tending to lift toward or above many summits. Chance of patchy cloud drifting back onto west coast tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to locally 7C. Feeling nearer 0C if exposed to stronger winds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 22nd April 2024
Last updated
Fri 19th Apr 24 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 20 to 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect comfortable walking on exposed tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain on and off
Patchy showery rain, later turning to snow flurries on the Munros in the north.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive north
Varied banks over higher slopes, most persistent in Sutherland. Breaks best toward Skye and Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy, some sun in west. Visibility good, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C dropping from the north toward 0C. Wind chill feeling like -5C, later nearer -10C into evening.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but starting to lower later in day, toward 800m in north.
Planning Outlook
Into early next week, high pressure will be centred toward the northwest, with sunny spells and scattered light showers. Northerly winds bring lower temperatures into midweek, near or below freezing over higher terrain, coldest toward the east. Lowering pressure is expected later in the week, turning more widely showery again with upland snow, plus hail. Day-to-day variations in extent of showers and cloud amounts. Cool conditions are likely to continue toward the change of month into early May, at least in Scotland.