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
Friday 30th October 2020
Last updated
Friday 30th October 2020 at
8:07 AM
Summary for all mountain areas
A weak ridge of high pressure will bring a spell of relatively benign conditions to S Scotland and into England and Wales. However, showers will affect NW Scotland and there is uncertainty in the extent that strong winds, rain and low cloud clear from the NW across Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland gales or near gales easing slowly. Showers; of snow higher areas.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 40mph; strongest Sutherland. Will tend to ease a little though the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous on higher areas, particularly near showers. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers; of snow on the Munros
Showers, some hail or above 800m snow, throughout the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas
Cloud base will vary, generally lowest coastal mountains, where typically 550m near precipitation and otherwise 800m. Well inland, cloud rare below 600m, and most cloud above 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, mainly lower slopes well inland from west coast. Varying visibility; sometimes good, but abruptly very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C.
Freezing Level
1050m
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 31st October 2020
Last updated
Friday 30th October 2020 at
8:07 AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in this forecast: Southerly 50 to 70mph morning and 30 to 45mph afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking, or any mobility, may be very difficult on higher areas, and wind chill severe.
How Wet?
Widespread rain
Deteriorating as widespread rain, preceded over a couple of hour by snow above 800m, spreads northwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive
There may be breaks to higher summits, particularly north from Torridon in the morning, but cloud base intermittently 400m south of Torridon (perhaps forming lowest slopes Skye), and between 500 and 750m elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility be be excellent for a few hours, but in rain will become poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 6C
Freezing Level
Temporarily 1000m at onset of precipitation; from south lifting above the summits for several hours.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 1st November 2020
Last updated
Friday 30th October 2020 at
8:07 AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South veering southwesterly 50 to 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility difficult for periods and wind chill severe where exposed on higher areas.
How Wet?
Frequent rain
There may be one or two dry periods, but overall frequent sometimes heavy rain. Will tend to transition to heavy showers, with hail and on higher tops snow.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive
A few breaks to higher tops, but overall the hills continually cloud covered, often from lower slopes up on more western hills and above 600m elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare patches of sun, most likely Sutherland and lower slopes near more eastern mountains. Frequently misty and at times very poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C
Freezing Level
Intermittently above the summits, but at first and again later in the day, 1050m.
Planning Outlook
A series of deep Atlantic lows and their associated bands of rain and severe gale or storm force upland winds will affect Britain until early next week. It will then turn much drier, although some uncertainty as weak fronts may still affect northwest Scotland.