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.)
Tuesday'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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 5th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 4th May 26 at
3:54PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold Scottish Highlands, high terrain stays frozen. Snow flurries north and east, more persistent later east. Well scattered showers south Scotland, afternoon showers over the Pennines, later east Lakeland; varied cloud on high northern slopes. A few odd showers north Wales with patchy cloud, dry south.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Showery snow flurries, greatest risk east; cloud lifting
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally northerly but some variability, 5-15mph. Risk stronger a few early hours, to 25-30mph over summits, and a lingering 15-20mph Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small most of the day, though a risk quite blustery at dawn, strongest wind affecting stability in exposure.
How Wet?
Scattered snow showers
Scattered snow showers drifting from the north throughout the day, dry periods, but a risk of clustering together easternmost hills with time. Falling as rain below 500m in the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high eastern terrain, later clear west coast
Patchy fog to the middle elevations from dawn, lifting through the morning to largely clear the Munros, perhaps some banks over northern and west coast tops briefly. Cloud returns as low as 700-800m during showers, lowest and most persistent east; west coast Munros clear into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, perhaps more extensive for some early hours, and later sunny west coast. Largely excellent visibility, but suddenly poor in snow showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -1C most of the day. May locally rise towards +1C Kintail.
Freezing Level
500-600m north, some patchy frost in glens too. Starting nearer 800m south, Rising to 800-900m, staying lowest north, and perhaps towards 1000m at the Cuillin.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 6th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 4th May 26 at
3:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable, trending southerly, 10 to 20mph, lowest speeds early in day, may increase nearer 30mph on Skye during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but may become more noticeably blustery and chillier, particularly on westernmost tops.
How Wet?
Scattered showers, of snow on tops
Local showers mostly forming during afternoon, snow flurries above 700m, low far north and possible soft hail; may form a cluster of precipitation over an hour or so, but some locations staying fully dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, lifting above tops
Some patchy cloud forming on mid to upper slopes in the morning, but rising to higher tops then most cloud above the hills by midday onward. Odd ragged patches may return around showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun, thin high cloud; tending to cloud over especially inland afternoon. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C at first, rising to 0C.
Freezing Level
600-700m from dawn, frost inland glens likely too. Rising to 800-900m, lowest in the north.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 7th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 4th May 26 at
3:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-30mph, a strengthening trend, tops speeds to 40mph Skye and Kintail later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded in exposure, conditions increasingly strenuous along the west coast and south; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain, risk turning heavier
Spots of rain from dawn, increasing in frequency along the coast and perhaps later more widely with heavier bursts and longer falls.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly just summits with breaks
Banks above 800m in the morning, likely most extensive inland south of Ullapool. Most cloud lifting to at least the summits, perhaps often broken off the summits, but a risk of banks returning to 800-900m and above from the west with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, a few glimpses of sun. Mixed visibility, often excellent but poor during rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C, rising to 4C or locally 5C well inland and north. Feeling like -5 to -8C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1000m at dawn, or 900m, inland, lifting above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Chilly through mid-week, particularly across the Scottish Highlands where morning freezing level sometimes below 800m; patchy frosts developing in the glens and corries, though always thawing soon after sunrise. Wednesday is likely the chilliest day. Mixed weather with showers drifting around the country, though total rainfall will be fairly small. Wind often light as well, though variable afternoon breezes will form, particularly around showers where gusts may be suddenly strong. Local low fog in the mornings, typically lifting towards high terrain, often above summits though regions for best breaks are uncertain; often cloud with just glimpses of sun for most. Next weekend sees more unsettled weather, a stronger easterly wind establishing over England and Wales with more frequent, heavy showers here.