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.)
Wednesday'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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra 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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 2nd July 2025
Last updated
Tue 1st Jul 25 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Localised heavy bursts of rain for eastern Scotland & northern England early in the day, clearing eastwards, but over Cairngorms in particular, increasing risk afternoon of slow-moving heavy downpours forming, locally a thunderstorm. Western Scotland largely dry; increasingly sunny all western areas afternoon. Fresher for all.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Broken cloud and sun, local showers. Light-moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15 to 20mph, strongest coastal areas toward the north in morning, freshening a little more widely afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Showers
Occasional showers passing eastwards, locally heavier toward the east coast later in day.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent on western tops
Patches of cloud on western mountains in the morning, lifting to upper slopes, may come and go on tops, most common in the west, clearing more often afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun and cloud. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 8C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 3rd July 2025
Last updated
Tue 1st Jul 25 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 25 to 35mph, strongest over west coast mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect comfortable walking, making balance challenging on some exposed ridges. Feeling cool.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain
Often raining on western mountains, steady rain setting in for periods, some heavier showery bursts mixed in.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Covering higher slopes most of day, bases lowering in rain, fairly extensive above 700-900m, lowest west coastal hills, may form for periods to 600m on/near Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, rare glimpses of sun east. Visibility poor during rain, occasionally good below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C, marginal rise during day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 4th July 2025
Last updated
Tue 1st Jul 25 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45 to 60mph, peak speeds likely lasting a few hours, may moderate with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, mobility challenging and gusts could knock you off your feet. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of day west, often heavy
Persistent rain across western mountains, sustained heavy falls focused on Skye to Wester Ross. Smaller amounts eastward across Sutherland and Easter Ross. Increasingly very wet underfoot in west.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the mountains throughout the day, from mid to lower slopes upward in the west, but fairly extensive above 800m even well inland. Brief breaks in east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Visibility poor due to rain, locally good below cloud furthest east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, small rise during day. Feeling near -5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
By Thursday, west to southwesterly winds increase for Scotland, with frequent showery rain and low cloud returning into the Highlands from the west. Friday brings heavier rain to western Scotland and gales over higher terrain for Scotland and possibly northern England, rain extending further south with time. The weekend looks unsettled with low pressure bringing heavy showery rain widely, risk isolated thunder. Next week maintains a mixed westerly regime with greatest risk of rain toward northwest Scotland, drier and warmer further south and east.