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.)
Monday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 29th April 2024
Last updated
Sun 28th Apr 24 at
2:45PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Deteriorating - early in the day on many more western areas - as strengthening winds, rain and low cloud associated with a front extends slowly eastwards. The rain will amount to little southern Pennines, and largely dry until later in the day northern Scotland (where precipitation initially snow on the Munros).
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gradually deteriorating: Increasingly blustery and wet.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Soon south to southeasterly between 10 and 20mph. Slowly strengthening through day, by early evening 20-25mph Sutherland to 30mph from Skye to summits near Great Glen and Ben Wyvis.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small morning, but gradually considerable buffeting and wind chill developing where exposed on higher areas.
How Wet?
Little or no rain morning, then increasingly wet, particularly near Skye
Substantially dry although slowly from the south, bursts of rain, eventually setting in afternoon on and near Skye. Initial precipitation of snow above 750-1000m before turning to rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills extensively free of cloud
Summits most likely cloud free for much of day, but gradually increasing risk of cloud capping higher areas, particularly in precipitation. Toward evening near Skye, cloud may well come in off the sea to shroud even lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% dropping to 30%, and toward evening less than 10% Skye
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of hazy sun, mainly morning. Excellent visibility before becoming poor in precipitation at times.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 3 or 4C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900m, gradually lifting above the summits from the south. Frost in many valleys post dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 30th April 2024
Last updated
Sun 28th Apr 24 at
2:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25mph, perhaps 35mph at times near Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely to impede ease of walking on higher areas, and near Skye give considerable buffeting and wind chill on some slopes.
How Wet?
Little if any rain
Extensively dry, although risk of the odd burst of showery rain, most likely near Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun through layers of high level cloud. Very good or excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 rising to 9C
Freezing Level
Above the summits,
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 1st May 2024
Last updated
Sun 28th Apr 24 at
2:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly between 10 and 20mph: generally strongest in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Little or no rain
One or two showers, but most areas dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Very little
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud layers thinning and breaking to give a patchwork of sun; sunniest toward the coast. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising toward 11C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Considerably warmer this week. Rain from time to time, although from Wednesday largely dry in Scotland and perhaps N England - although the risk of bursts of rain, perhaps thunder. Wales will be most prone to further rain. As yet, considerable uncertainty in the detail next weekend, although ensemble of forecast models suggest light wind, fairly warm with some sunshine. Most uncertain is the extent and locations of possible showery rain or thunderstorms.