Northwest Highlands
A mixed day in the Northwest Highlands, with a blustery wind.
Sunshine and sky
Less sunshine later. Sunshine is indicated less often later in the day.
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 25–35 mph, gusting 35–45 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 35–45 mph are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Rain and showers
Mostly dry. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall. Rain is possible during the main walking period, but its timing may shift by several hours. The timing may shift by a few hours.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 85% early, about 85% around midday and about 80% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay mostly clear of cloud. The cloud base could be as low as 1000–1300 m mid-morning.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 2 to 6°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.
Freezing level
The freezing level is above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 08:04, Sunset 18:04, about 10.0 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 south. A little 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. Overnight lows of about 6°C at 900 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 72%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 01:34 next morning BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 20 Oct, 17:00 BST to 21 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
- 13 mph / 22 mph
- Coldest
- 8.0°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 16 mph / 27 mph
- Coldest
- 7.9°C
- In cloud
- 27% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 18 mph / 31 mph
- Coldest
- 6.5°C
- In cloud
- 73% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Moderate
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 & scramblingBetaPatchy rain could leave exposed holds damp or slippery. Gusts near 45 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 26Poor · 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 poor (26/100). Likely to stay mostly dry, but patchy rain remains possible. Exposed rock could become damp or slippery. Gusts may reach about 45 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 15 October 2026 at 15:29 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Northwest Highlands.