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.)
Saturday'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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 16th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 15th May 26 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly but fine with light winds much of the day for the Highlands. Increasing wind, rain and lowering cloud encroaches onto western coasts later in daytime. Southwesterly breezes elsewhere, largely dry until late for northern England, but rain, drizzle and low cloud moves into Wales sooner, more blustery later.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Dry, clear hills; then increasing breeze, rain & low cloud later west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20mph at dawn in far north/east. Otherwise variable below 10mph early in day, or then into afternoon northern areas. Becoming south-southeasterly 15 to 25mph, soonest on Skye; after sunset turning southwesterly 25mph near Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small early in day, or longer in north and east; becoming breezier in west, feeling noticeable and rather chilly on exposed higher terrain.
How Wet?
Rain develops in west later afternoon; persistent into evening
Local light showers in north at first, otherwise dry morning & middle of day. Patchy rain pushes onto west coast near Skye mid-afternoon, becoming more persistent later, some sleet high tops, heavier up to dusk near Skye & Wester Ross. An odd shower possible afternoon in Sutherland. Rain gradually extending inland & north into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any, then forming in west
Patchy cloud around some slopes mostly near coast in morning, lifting and clearing. Some cloud banks forming onto higher slopes, soonest on Cuillin in afternoon, extending further onto west coast hills later above 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%, dropping to 30% west later
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early sun weakens as high cloud thickens, more overcast afternoon. Visibility excellent, reducing later near Skye as rain develops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to +3C afternoon. Feeling nearer -5C if exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
700m plus frost inland glens at dawn. Rising to be just above freezing to highest summits during afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 17th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 15th May 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Making walking uncomfortable on exposed high terrain, affecting balance at times. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and showery bursts
Rain on and off all day, but a few hours in the morning drier in eastern areas. Increasing risk of heavier showery bursts forming, becoming concentrated inland then eastward later. Some snow on highest tops. Risk of hail & thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent west, some breaks
Often capping western hills above 600-700m in morning, patchier and higher cloud inland and eastwards. Bases tending to rise, then varying in and out of showers, at times breaking to higher slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some sun mostly east in morning. Visibility very good, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3 or 4C afternoon. Wind chill feeling like -7 to -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing point on higher tops around 1000m early morning, rising above all summits into afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 18th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 15th May 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 10-15mph inland, to often 20mph near Skye, risk increasing to gusty 30mph; likely stronger into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but likely more noticeable on exposed Cuillin, gusts may affect balance, risk becoming more blustery with time.
How Wet?
Localised showers
Occasional showers possible near west coast in morning, fading out. Risk of localised slow-moving showery bursts forming inland afternoon-evening, greater risk toward north, chance thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting and clearing, returns in showers
Varied cloud banks over upper slopes in the morning, most lifting higher up with time and clearing from many tops. Returning locally around showers, filling in on some hills for periods, ragged patches to mid-slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable cloud, glimpses of sun, locally sunnier near coast later afternoon. Visibility very good, but reduced in heavier showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 4 or 5C. If exposed to stronger wind, feeling near -5C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m at dawn, plus possible slight frost inland glens. Rising above all tops.
Planning Outlook
A mixed but milder outlook. Showery bursts of rain Sunday and Monday, passing eastwards during the daytimes, generally improving afternoons in western areas. By later Monday, strengthening southerly winds and rain moving into Wales from the southwest. Damp south-southwesterlies then prevail for a few days next week, with rain at times Tuesday and Wednesday, most on western hills, particularly Scotland. A drier and much warmer theme later in the week as higher pressure builds.