Northwest Highlands
A poor day on the tops in the Northwest Highlands, with very strong, gusty winds and burns likely to be in spate.
Sunshine and sky
Sunshine through the day. The time blocks show where the model places the brighter spells.
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 south-westerly wind of 35–45 mph, gusting 45–55 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 45–55 mph are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives.
Spate risk
High spate risk based on recent and forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Timing and severity can vary between catchments. Check the peak forecast for the separate rain/runoff periods. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Sleet is possible on the tops, and it could turn to snow if it is a little colder. Rain for much of the day. Expect 5–10 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry. Drizzle is possible on some hills. On some hills, sleet is possible on the tops. Small temperature changes could shift the mix towards rain or snow. Visibility may drop briefly in showers in parts of the area.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 35% early, about 65% around midday and about 40% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of clear tops in the early afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m early in the morning.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 2 to 6°C, feeling like -8 to -4°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 07:53, Sunset 18:17, about 10.4 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m on some hills (gusts of about 50 mph and around 9 mm of rain). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m on some hills. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 50 mph around 900 m and nearer 35 mph around 300 m, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Check the forecast for the hill and height you have in mind, and don't assume lower ground will be sheltered. About 9 mm of rain is forecast overnight. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. 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
- 26%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 19:18 BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 15 Oct, 17:00 BST to 16 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
- 17 mph / 35 mph
- Coldest
- 3.2°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 21 mph / 42 mph
- Coldest
- 2.8°C
- In cloud
- 93% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 25 mph / 49 mph
- Coldest
- 0.8°C
- In cloud
- 93% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
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 & scramblingBetaWet rock is likely. Gusts near 50 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 50 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 14 October 2026 at 15:27 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Northwest Highlands.