Northwest Highlands
A poor day on the tops in the Northwest Highlands, with sleet or snow up high and cloud coming and going on the summits.
Sunshine and sky
Limited sunny breaks. Any sunshine is likely to come through limited breaks.
These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. The regional median prevents one unusually bright or dull summit cell defining the whole area.
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
High-ground wind (900 m)
At around 900 m, expect a north-westerly wind of 20–30 mph, gusting 25–35 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Walking impact
Gusts of 25–35 mph will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives.
Rain and showers
Sleet at first, clearing by mid-afternoon. Expect 2–5 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is possible during the main walking period, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall. On some hills, sleet is possible on the tops. Small temperature changes could shift the mix towards rain or snow.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 10% early, about 40% around midday and about 55% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud. The cloud base could be as low as 500–800 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is close to summit height.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:55, Sunset 18:14, about 10.3 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind: gusts of about 30 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the northwest. A little rain is forecast overnight. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. The ground will be sodden after recent rain, so pick a firm, well-drained pitch.
Moon overnight
Waxing crescent moon
- Illuminated disc
- 34%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 20:12 BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 16 Oct, 17:00 BST to 17 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 57.369, -5.060. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 11 mph / 21 mph
- Coldest
- 2.3°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 13 mph / 25 mph
- Coldest
- 2.3°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 15 mph / 30 mph
- Coldest
- 0.9°C
- In cloud
- 13% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.
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 & scramblingBetaSnow is likely to be lying on some high ground. Scrambling may require winter mountaineering skills and equipment. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 30 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Regional climbing & scrambling outlook
A broad guide to dampness and exposed rock across the area, not a forecast for every crag. Lower, sheltered crags and individual rock types may behave differently.
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 30 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes psammite, pelite or semipelite and sandstone or gritstone. Rock can therefore respond differently to moisture 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.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Updated 16 October 2026 at 05:29 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Northwest Highlands.