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.)
Sunday'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 and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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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 and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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
Sunday 17th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 16th May 26 at
4:04PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scattered showers for most through morning, early low cloud (lowest west) rises to and above many summits for several hours. Showers become frequent and heavy afternoon, risk of isolated lightning and hail; showers most of the day in Scotland. Breezy in exposure, strong gusts near showers, and quite chilly.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Early rain turns to showers, early snow on tops; chilly
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15 to 25mph; lighter and variable north of Ullapool for a few early hours. May trend even lighter later in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect comfortable walking on exposed high terrain at times with a wind chill, though effects will be variable and at times fairly small.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day with showery bursts
Rain on and off all day; rain fairly widespread north and west in the morning, pushing northward. Increasing risk of heavier showery bursts forming, becoming concentrated inland then eastward later. Some snow on highest tops early. 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; perhaps most widely to middle/lower slopes in the north for a few early hours. 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, a few sun glimpses breaking out in the south. Visibility very good, but reduced in showers, to perhaps very poor in snow on high tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3 or 4C afternoon. Feeling below freezing on the tops in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing point on higher tops around 1000m early morning, to near 900m southwest coastal hills. Rising above all summits into afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 18th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 16th May 26 at
4:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 10-15mph inland, to 20mph near Skye; gusts around showers approaching 25mph. Rising overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but likely more noticeable on exposed Cuillin, gusts may affect balance.
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, a chance of localised 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, most cloud north and east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable cloud, glimpses of sun, locally sunnier near Skye later afternoon. Visibility very good, but reduced in heavier showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 4 or 5C; staying cooler Skye. 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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 19th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 16th May 26 at
4:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 35-50mph; gusty and variable on high terrain. Trending southwesterly, easing to 30-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking with considerable buffeting and wind chill well into the day; effects may ease somewhat.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Persistent rain lingers for several morning hours. Breaking into frequent showers, at times merging into broader areas of rain, most of the rain towards the south. Slippery rock surfaces and risk isolated hail and thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, local higher cloud
Extensive to many lower south and eastern slopes at dawn, highest bases near the northwest coast. Bases gradually rise though the day, ending perhaps 900m or above eastern hills, and becoming more extensive west. Southern areas unlikely to clear above 600-700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Chance of some sunny bursts later in the day but otherwise cloudy. Variable visibility, often poor due to frequent rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, rising as high as 8C. Feeling like -5 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A mixed but milder outlook. Showery bursts of rain Monday, passing eastwards; by later Monday, strengthening southerly winds and rain moving into Wales from the southwest. Damp south-southwesterlies then prevail for a few days as mid-week approaches with regular showers, most on western hills where drizzly rain may persist between showers. Expect increasingly wet conditions underfoot, slippery rock surfaces. Also, a risk of isolated hail and lightening in the showers. Indications of high pressure building over the continent later in the week, brining milder and drier conditions to England and Wales. However, some drizzle and low cloud may continue to affect western hills, with periods of rain and wind continuing to affect Scotland. This trend may continue into the weekend, though detail currently uncertain.