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, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 24th April 2025
Last updated
Thu 24th Apr 25 at
7:46AM
Summary for all mountain areas
Low cloud from the North Sea covering all but some western mountains widely from dawn will gradually clear as it retreats eastwards into the middle of the day, some patches may remain on eastern slopes. Sunny most or all day western coasts. Small risk an afternoon shower.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Sunshine, extensive western mountains. Moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 15 to 20mph, often strongest near Ben Hope, but may strengthen a little around Skye, particularly later in day; eventually reaching 35mph onward into the night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small most or all daylight, but may start to feel more blustery later where exposed on the Cuillin.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly east in morning; little if any west
Cloud widespread morning between about 450m and 900/1000m - higher summits above the cloud. Very little of the cloud will penetrate to within about 10miles of the west coast. From late morning or midday will progressively break up: very little left by mid afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Becoming greater than 90% (cloud lower down particularly morning)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Increasingly sunny from the west. Visibility excellent, locally misty eastern areas at first.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 6C, coolest in north in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but slight frost some sheltered higher and lower slopes at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 25th April 2025
Last updated
Thu 24th Apr 25 at
7:46AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 20-30mph, up to 40mph Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking affected with stability challenges at times, strenuous on Skye. Feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Rain mostly around Skye
Patches of slow-moving rain soon arrive to Skye and Torridon. Intermittent rain gradually increases through the day in west, occasionally heavier on Skye. Very little reaching much of Sutherland.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowering in far west; little north
Lowering on and near Skye to become extensive in rain, filling in to 600m southern Cuillin. Patchy cloud forming over inland tops. Northernmost mountains of Sutherland seeing higher bases, perhaps often clear all day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% inland/north, to 30% Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak sun through high cloud at dawn, becoming mostly cloudy in west. Visibility excellent north, but poor in cloud and rain around Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C. Feeling like -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 26th April 2025
Last updated
Thu 24th Apr 25 at
7:46AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 20 to 30mph, strongest near west coast; easing a little afternoon, but risk increasing further from dusk into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Where exposed on western ridges, affecting balance and comfortable walking in places. Fairly small inland.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, locally a showery burst
Rain on and off from dawn into the morning, may persist for a few hours on and near Skye. Becoming patchy and drizzly, may largely fade out, but risk an odd burst of rain inland into afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, rising to upper slopes
Widely covering the hills in the morning, banks at various heights, in places to lower slopes near Skye. Gradually lifting toward upper slopes, breaks forming toward tops mainly away from the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun into the afternoon. Misty, murky start especially in west; visibility improving to become very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Weak fronts will encroach from the Atlantic by Friday into the weekend, bringing more humid air, with low cloud and patchy rain or drizzle, local showery bursts. Possibility of more persistent rain in western Scotland by Sunday with stronger southwesterly winds for a time. Generally mild, or increasingly warm into early next week as southerly air prevails. High pressure rebuilding with a good deal of dry and sunny weather expected next week into the start of May.