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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive strong warm sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, rising above 10C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive strong warm sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, rising above 10C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 20th May 2025
Last updated
Mon 19th May 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Mostly sunny and warm in Scotland; some patchy low fog in the north at dawn. Sunny too in England and Wales, fair weather cloud building afternoon with localised showers. Local heavy bursts later in western areas (including Galloway) with chance of isolated lightning, showers more scattered across the Pennines. Fairly light wind for all.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strong warm sunshine; cooler and breezy north
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeasterly 10 to 15mph, more easterly 20mph northern tops at dawn. Shifting mostly northerly 10-15mph, some breezes reaching 20mph later in the day, notably around coasts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Rain very unlikely
Small chance of an odd showery burst later afternoon well inland in the south, soon fading.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills clear; some morning low fog north and east
Low fog briefly drifting onto low slopes of northernmost mountains at dawn, soon fading after sunrise. Some patchy low fog into glens in the east as well, also soon dissipating. Little if any towards the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Becoming nearly certain
Sunshine and air clarity?
Strong sunshine, patchy fair weather cloud building in the afternoon, mostly in central and southern areas. Visibility excellent or superb.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C at dawn, rising to 13C well inland. Staying nearer 11C on coastal slopes, slightly cooler around Ben Hope.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 21st May 2025
Last updated
Mon 19th May 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northeasterly 15 to 25mph, strongest coastal hills and in the far north. Northwesterly for a time afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but may affect balance on some exposed ridges, feeling cool in exposure on tops.
How Wet?
Rain very unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Little cloud expected; some banks north later
Patches briefly around some slopes in the morning, mainly toward north. More banks of cloud arrive from the north later afternoon onto middle and upper slopes; high tops in the far north may be out of cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of cloud and sun; sunniest near west coasts most of the day. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 8C, may be locally warmer Kintail in middle of day. Risk later dropping toward freezing in north.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but from dusk possibly dropping near to highest summits in far north.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 22nd May 2025
Last updated
Mon 19th May 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northeasterly 15-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Little or no rain
An odd light shower may drift into northernmost mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks in the north, lifting and breaking
Banks of cloud from 800m upward, mostly in the north; highest tops may be out of cloud at dawn. Higher bases and more patchy for central and south areas, little if any south. Cloud will lift and break above tops, a few caps come and go far north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% north at first, rising to 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent or frequent sun, becoming a patchwork as fair weather cloud builds. Superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C at dawn, rising to 5C, some warmer patches Wester Ross and south. Little change on mountains in the far north.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, lifting off summits through morning. Highest summits of Sutherland may stay frozen.
Planning Outlook
High pressure weakens into midweek. Some passing rain/showery bursts into Wales and England on Wednesday will lead to a mostly dry Thursday and Friday. A northerly breeze will lower temperatures; freezing levels will lower to high terrain of north and east Scotland for a time. In the short-term, ground conditions remain extensively dry, water courses are very low and the fire risk is very high. Weather turns very unsettled into the weekend as a strong frontal system arrives from the west on Friday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to all areas. Showers and a brisk wind will follow into the weekend.