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.
Fine, partly cloudy, snow cover on tops
Mostly dry with partly cloudy skies; patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes; tops remain capped with snow.
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.
Fine, partly cloudy, snow cover on tops
Mostly dry with partly cloudy skies; patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes; tops remain capped with snow.
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
Friday 19th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Brisk northwesterly winds, strongest in the morning for most places, giving considerable chill factor across higher terrain. Plenty of dry and bright weather with well broken cloud often above many summits. Isolated showers in Scotland and Wales fading. A few showers continuing for south Pennines into afternoon.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Chilly winds, lessening. Mostly dry, cloud breaks and sun.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly, 25 to 40mph, strongest in the morning, especially in north, tending to ease from west with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable buffeting and wind chill on exposed higher terrain in morning, lessening a little during the day.
How Wet?
Early showers fade
Brief snow or hail showers coming in from the northwest from dawn fading out to be largely dry by mid-morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting above many tops
Banks of cloud drifting over higher slopes for a few hours in the morning, but lifting toward or above many summits into afternoon. Patches may come and go near to coast in north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 to +1C, coldest in far north, slight rise. Wind chill feeling like -10C or below in strongest wind in morning.
Freezing Level
700 to 800m Ben Hope area much of day. 800 to 1000m elsewhere, highest around Skye by afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 20th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 30mph, strongest over northern summits and locally gusty around elevated passes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, not just on very highest terrain, may affect balance on ridges.
How Wet?
Drizzly at times
Patchy drizzly rain spilling in from the west, may become more persistently damp over western hills near/north from Ullapool for periods.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest in west
Low cloud affecting western coastal mountains much of the day. Some hills may start clearer, but cloud likely to fill in over many hills. Risk foggy to mid or some lower slopes near west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early glimpses of sun mainly in east, otherwise cloudy. Visibility locally good below cloud in east, but likely dull or murky near to west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 5C. Feeling like -5C if exposed to stronger wind, or chillier for a time in morning.
Freezing Level
Slight frost inland glens plus some sheltered higher areas at first. Otherwise above freezing to highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 21st April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Risk southwesterly 30mph, especially coastal areas north from Ullapool. May be variable and lower speeds.
Effect of the wind on you?
Possibility of being blustery mainly northern areas. Perhaps more often small.
How Wet?
Little or no precipitation
Chance of local pockets of drizzle mainly in Sutherland early in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
May largely clear
Banks of cloud around some higher slopes in the morning, tending to lift toward or above many summits. Chance of patchy cloud drifting back onto west coast tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to locally 7C. Feeling nearer 0C if exposed to stronger winds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
High pressure builds into the weekend bringing mostly dry conditions, lighter winds and mountain temperatures generally above freezing. On Saturday, low cloud and patchy drizzle northwest Scotland. A chilly north to northeasterly breeze for England and Wales, particularly Sunday. Into next week, high pressure stays nearby, initially centred toward the northwest, bringing sunny spells and scattered light showers. Lower temperatures by midweek, near or below freezing over higher terrain, coldest toward the east. Looking more widely showery by late week, again with upland snow, plus hail.