Mountain Weather
Information Service
Northwest Highland Forecast

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.)

Today's Forecast

Moderate breeze, locally gusty
Dry and sunny
Clear
Warm
Bright sunshine

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM Last Updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM Last Updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 30th April 2026
Last updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM

Summary for all mountain areas

Unbroken bright sunshine nearly everywhere - beware of dehydration and sunburn. Windy, particularly morning southern Scotland southwards where upland gales in some areas. SW Wales often cloudy with increasing threat of a shower.

Headline for The Northwest Highlands

Bright sunshine. Locally gusty wind.

How windy? (On the Munros)

South to southeasterly 15 to 25mph, but a gusty 30mph in places particularly on Skye in morning.

Effect of the wind on you?

Varied with some more noticeable gusty spots, mainly around the Cuillin, may start to affect balance on some slopes.

How Wet?

No rain

Cloud on the hills?

None expected

Chance of cloud free Munros?

Practically certain

Sunshine and air clarity?

Unbroken sunshine, although some thin high cloud particularly toward west. Excellent or superb visibility.

How Cold? (at 900m)

8C rising to 12C afternoon.

Freezing Level

Above the summits. Slight frost inland and eastern glens at dawn.

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Friday 1st May 2026
Last updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM

How windy? (On the Munros)

South, or toward evening southwesterly, 15mph or on coastal hills increasingly 20- 25mph. Perhaps widely 25mph evening.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small.

How Wet?

Patchy rain, risk a heavier burst

Still some uncertainty: Most, possibly all areas remaining dry, but rain - ranging from a short burst to perhaps steady for an hour - may affect some areas.

Cloud on the hills?

Little if any

Most or all cloud above the mountains, but locally if rain occurs, odd patches may form at various heights.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

90%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sun mostly weak through a veil of high cloud, which may thicken to cover the sky. Visibility very good, slight haze develops.

How Cold? (at 900m)

8C Skye and increasingly western mainland mountains. Elsewhere rising toward a very warm 15C by afternoon.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Last updated Thu 30th Apr 26 at 7:35AM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Low confidence in forecast: Direction varied; widely 10mph or less. Possibly between west & north 20mph near coast.

Effect of the wind on you?

Small

How Wet?

Rain on and off, risk heavy bursts

Rain intermittently or perhaps extensively, mostly fairly light, but particularly near Great Glen risk heavy thundery bursts by afternoon.

Cloud on the hills?

Very extensive; forming some lower slopes, may well not clear all day.

Particularly toward the coast, cloud may for periods form below 300m. Even well inland, fragments may well form upward from forest canopies, although here most cloud above 600m, and perhaps some breaks to 900m

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Little if any sunshine. The air very clear, but visibility often poor due to rain.

How Cold? (at 900m)

Between 2C near north coast, 3 or 4C west coast and 6C well inland.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Planning Outlook

Less settled this weekend and into next week. Rain will not be extensive, but in some areas persistent for a few hours and some heavy, possibly thundery bursts - although particularly by Sunday local detail is as yet uncertain. Temperature levels will drop from the north, indeed early next week overnight and mornings higher slopes will be below freezing point Scottish Highlands, and further frosts are likely in valleys.