Northwest Highlands
Sunday 30 August 2026 · Wester Ross, Assynt and the far northwest
Why: Thunderstorm timing is inherently uncertain and may shift by several hours.
Thunderstorms are the main concern, especially on exposed summits and ridges. Light southeasterly wind and Showers or rain at times.
High-ground wind (900 m)
Southeasterly 5-10 mph at 900 m. Gusts reaching around 15 mph at 900 m, with locally higher values possible on the most exposed tops. Starting nearer 5 mph, then strengthening toward 10 mph later.
Walking impact
Little effect on walking, although exposed tops may still feel chilly.
Thunderstorms
A moderate thunderstorm risk is indicated from the morning into the evening. Avoid committing to exposed summits or ridges while storms are building or nearby.
Spate risk
High spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. The heaviest rain is expected later in the day. Crossing risk is expected from around 12:00, continuing overnight and easing after around 04:00 the following morning. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Showers or spells of rain at times. The heaviest rain is expected later in the day.
Cloud-free summits
Around 35%. Around 40% early, falling to around 30% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud bases mostly around 900-1300 m. Cloud is likely to come and go on the higher summits; breaks may be useful but not dependable.
Temperature and wind chill
Around 8°C at 900 m, feeling like 6°C in the wind.
Freezing level
Above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 06:16 — Sunset 20:24 — about 14.2 hours daylight.
Overnight · 6 p.m.–9 a.m.Wild campingBetaThunder risk is around 32% in parts of the area; avoid exposed pitches if storms develop. 54/100Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across representative hills, open-hillside camping looks mixed around 600 m (54/100). Some overnight rain is likely, so expect a damp pitch or pack-up.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 5 / 10 mph
- Coldest
- 11.6°C
- In cloud
- Unlikely
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 6 / 12 mph
- Coldest
- 10.6°C
- In cloud
- 58% of night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 6 / 13 mph
- Coldest
- 8.6°C
- In cloud
- 58% of night
- Condensation
- High
Open-hillside guidance across representative hills. Local shelter, ridges, tent design and the exact pitch can change conditions substantially. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaThunder risk is around 39% in parts of the area; exposed scrambling may be a poor choice. 5/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Full regional climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (5/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet; polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes psammite, pelite or semipelite and sandstone or gritstone; moisture response can therefore vary substantially between crags and routes.
Representative summit-point samples across the region; individual crags and routes may differ.
Generic exposed hands-on-rock terrain across representative summits; mapped summit-point geology is a broad regional sample, not a named-route survey. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
Updated 30 August 2026 at 04:40 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Northwest Highlands.