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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Wednesday 3rd July 2024
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jul 24 at
2:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Wet day for most in the mountains, with low cloud and often windy conditions. Particularly in Scotland murky and chilly winds, persistent rain in the west, on and off in the east Highlands. In England frequent rain spells, in Wales mostly showers on the western coastal hills, fading toward the evening.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Frequent rain, persistent west. Windy, murky, cool
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest turning westerly, starting 20 to 30mph, likely increasing further later in daytime to 35-40mph, stronger gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Conditions becoming challenging on higher mountains toward the evening, frequent buffeting, gusts affecting balance. Feeling distinctly cold.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain
Rain and drizzle much of the day especially over western areas, some steadier or heavier rain at times as fronts move through in the morning. Patchier rain toward Moray Firth.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Covering the mountains widely, lowest and most persistent cloud toward the west coast. Some breaks above 700m toward east. Bases tending to rise later in daytime.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally overcast. Poor visibility, some improvements mainly toward east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 7C, dropping to 2-3C later in day. Wind chill feeling like -5C or later colder.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but only just above freezing on the highest summits by late evening.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 4th July 2024
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jul 24 at
2:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph on some higher peaks. Strengthening during the day. Gusts up to 55mph possible.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous, walking becoming difficult. Buffeting leads to highly affected balance and significant wind chill factor.
How Wet?
Persistent rain, heavy in the afternoon
Fairly persistent rain on the western and northern coastal hills, becoming heavy in the afternoon. Toward the east mostly dry in the morning, showers developing afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills mostly covered extensively
Western coastal hills in clouds all day. Away from the coast toward Great Glen patches of clouds at start, cloud base soon lifting above the hills, but returning in showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Hardly any sunshine. Mostly poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. Feeling more like -10C in wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest tops in the morning, lifting during the day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 5th July 2024
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jul 24 at
2:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20 to 30mph, gusting 40mph in the far north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but blustery on high exposed terrain, affect comfortable walking and balance on the ridges.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Rain on and off on the western and northern coastal hills, often dry in the morning well inland, but in the afternoon showers also there.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills mostly covered
Coastal hills mostly in clouds in the morning, cloud lifting gradually clearing lower slopes by the afternoon. Toward Ben Wyvis higher cloud base (800-1100m), lower tops below the cloud from late morning.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine on the western coast, more sunny spells toward Great Glen. Visibility reduced on the coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Cooling in the night to Thursday, with sleet falling on highest Scottish peaks. A trough arriving on Thursday to Scotland brings another wet day on the Highlands with upland gales. England and Wales, although very windy and gusty, should get some sun between common showers, perhaps excluding Lake District and North Pennines, where clouds and rain still dominate. Damp, but generally much drier on Friday, some rain still in West and Northwest Highlands, in Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Peak District. Uncertain development further on, most likely fairly cold for the season. Chance for fine conditions during the weekend but unstable air may cause locally heavy showers or thunderstorms.