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.)
Monday'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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Monday 18th May 2026
Last updated
Sun 17th May 26 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Variable hill cloud at dawn, early rain in Wales into Lakeland and south/eastern Scotland; NW Scotland starts clear. Most cloud lifts to or above summits. Heavy afternoon showers build over the Pennines northward across most of Scotland; risk hail and local thunder. Risk lingering rain south Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Minimal cloud, then heavy afternoon showers, risk thunder
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 5-10mph at dawn, some variability in direction and speed. Trending southeasterly and rising, approaching 15-25mph by dusk, strongest Caithness/Ben Hope, but also some strong gusts around showers. Deteriorating overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but increasingly noticeable as the day goes; notable gusts around showers.
How Wet?
Afternoon heavy showers, risk thunder later
Light early showers Skye and west coast, these soon fading for dry Munros until early afternoon. Scattered light showers begin forming afternoon, these suddenly increasing in strength and frequency later afternoon, mostly in the south, but spreading north, a risk of hail and localised thunder. May stay driest on Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, then variable over high terrain later afternoon
Ragged patchy cloud on upper slopes near the west coast, some low inland mist in sheltered glens too, this all lifting after sunrise and mostly dissipating for cloud-free Munros until at least early afternoon. In heavy showers, cloud returns above 800-900m, locally lower later in heaviest showers. Skye likely stays clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90% lowering to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Soon mostly sunny as early cloud fades, then turning into a patchwork of cloud and sun afternoon, more often cloudy later in the day. Excellent visibility, but deteriorating where showers form.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 6 or 7C. Feeling suddenly cooler around showers later in the day, near freezing in strongest gusts.
Freezing Level
Likely just grazing the high tops at dawn, plus slight frost inland glens. Rising above all tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 19th May 2026
Last updated
Sun 17th May 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 40-55mph; gusty and variable on high terrain. Trending southerly, easing to 30-35mph, or lower later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking with considerable buffeting and wind chill well into the day; effects ease somewhat later.
How Wet?
Frequent patchy rain
Frequent showery rain affects most Munros from dawn, at times merging into broader areas of rain, most of the rain towards the south. Best of dry periods inland north. Slippery rock surfaces.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, local higher cloud
Extensive to lower south and eastern slopes at dawn, perhaps clear northwest coast for a time. Cloud moves north but bases rise, ending 800-900m or above, best chance of breaks west coast. South areas unlikely clear above 600-700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%; 70% near Ben Hope at first
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, particularly central/northern Munros. Feeling like -5 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 20th May 2026
Last updated
Sun 17th May 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally westerly 10-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small.
How Wet?
Most rain south and east
All Munros likely to see some rain, but south and eastern areas most vulnerable. Greatest risk of rain Easter Ross/Caithness later in the day, may become quite heavy. Some fine drizzle lingers on Skye/Torridon tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Most extensive south but variable
Fairly extensive early from at least middle slopes up, low slopes in the south/Skye. A lifting trend in the bases inland and north, occasional breaks in these areas too, but banks filling in again as rain becomes heavier. Summit breaks possible but likely brief.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy and often dull. Variable visibility, poor in rain but good during dry periods.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C to 8C, coolest Skye; may rise to 9C around Ben Wyvis.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A mixed but milder outlook. Damp southwesterlies prevail for a few days as mid-week approaches with regular rain and showers, most on western hills where drizzly rain may persist between showers and persistent low cloud. Expect increasingly wet conditions underfoot and slippery rock surfaces. Also, a risk of isolated hail and lightening in the showers; showers may be enhanced in eastern Scotland in sea breezes. Indications of rising pressure 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. Pressure may continue to rise into the weekend, allowing for warmer and sunnier conditions, but some fronts and lingering humidity will bring local periods of rain.