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.)
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 23rd September 2020
Last updated
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 at
4:20 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
In Scotland, many places dry, but a few showers moving around slowly, of snow on higher summits. Chilly, but winds light. A complex front drifts east across England & Wales - rain may well largely clear, but risk of showers following, may cluster together.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Chilly, mostly light winds. Isolated hail showers.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction varied, rarely more than 10-15mph inland. On west coastal hills, becoming southerly 15-20mph, perhaps 25mph Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Isolated showers; hail, or snow on tops.
Many areas often dry all day, but expect well scattered showers; snow flurries falling to around 800m, locally hail to lower slopes. Very wet underfoot western mountains following previous rain; streams in spate.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to higher tops
Patches of low cloud from dawn becoming confined above 800-1000m with breaks to most higher slopes. Locally around showers, patches will form below 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun, the cloud occasionally filling in. Visibility mostly excellent, reduced only briefly by local showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C
Freezing Level
Around 1100m, but also slight frost some inland glens and corries at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 24th September 2020
Last updated
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 at
4:20 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Mostly east or northeasterly, 10-15mph or perhaps often less. Small risk up to 25mph for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely small.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Much of the day may well remain dry with just well scattered showers of hail, or sometimes snow on the Munros.
Cloud on the hills?
Very little
Patches mostly confined to higher slopes. Many tops often free of cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine and well broken cloud. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C.
Freezing Level
1100m or just above.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 25th September 2020
Last updated
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 at
4:20 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly, 20 to often 30mph, perhaps up to 40mph for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting on higher terrain, squally gusts around showers; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, hail or snow on tops
Showers spreading from the north, with hail, or snow increasingly falling below 700m in north. Most frequent coastal hills and Sutherland, but may cluster to become more widely frequent for a few hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering higher tops
Cloud bases changing in and out of showers. Often covering coastal hills and in far north above 800m, and patches below 600m in showers. Fleeting breaks at least to higher tops, most common around Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine away from showers. The air quite clear, although slight haze coastal mountains, and visibility suddenly very poor during precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, but may drop to -1C from north.
Freezing Level
Around 1000m, but may drop close to 800m far north later in day.
Planning Outlook
Generally chilly into the weekend with higher mountains near or just below freezing point, and overnight frost in many valleys, notable early-season low temperatures Highland glens. A complex low pivots eastwards on Thursday - rain focused across England, Wales & southern Scotland. Strong northerly winds follow on Friday with scattered hail showers, snow on the Munros. Pressure builds by Saturday leading to largely dry conditions and very clear air. Early next week, westerly winds are expected to return, with rain at times, low cloud and varied temperatures.