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.)
Wednesday'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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 6th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 5th May 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Odd early snow flurries in north Scotland, otherwise clear Munros until late; some snow returns to the west and north Highlands near evening. Little or no rain south Scotland and England, several hours of morning sun and any hill cloud soon clearing. Spotty light rain for Wales, cloud clearing hills, but only glimpses of sun.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Clear Munros into afternoon, then snow forming north
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable less than 10mph at dawn, soon trending southerly and slowly strengthening, around 15mph most hills but nearer 20-25mph west coast, to 30mph over the Cuillin late in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but becoming noticeably breezy as the day goes, walking becoming strenuous on exposed slopes along the west coast late in the day with notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Scattered snow flurries, setting in north into evening
Scattered snow flurries drift onto southern Munros in the morning, a few patches towards Torridon but other hills dry well into the day. From mid-afternoon, showers forming north of Kintail, merging into a broader area of snow (rain below 600m) into evening, local breaks but all areas vulnerable by night.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, lifting above tops until later afternoon
Some patchy cloud forming on mid to upper slopes in the morning, mostly south of Ullapool, soon rising to summits and likely above most tops for several afternoon hours. Cloud begins lowering to northern Munro summits later afternoon as snow arrives, approaching 700m into dusk and spreading south too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%, lowering to 50% late in the day
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of sunshine, though weakened by high cloud. Through afternoon, tending to cloud over. Visibility excellent, but significantly deteriorating late in the day as snow arrives.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C at first, rising to 0 to +2C, mildest Kintail and Ben Wyvis. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest wind late in the day.
Freezing Level
600m from dawn, frost inland glens too. Rising to 800-900m, lowest in the north.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 7th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 5th May 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 25-35mph, strengthening and trending southwesterly, sustained 40mph along the coast, stronger Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded in exposure, conditions increasingly strenuous, later arduous along the coast with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain, risk turning heavier
Showery rain from dawn, most often southern and west coastal areas, but also drifting inland north. A rising risk of more frequent showers along the west coast with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly just summits with breaks
Banks above 800m in the morning, likely most extensive inland south of Ullapool. Most cloud lifting to at least the summits, perhaps often broken off the summits, but a risk of banks returning to 800-900m and above from the west with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, a few glimpses of sun. Mixed visibility, often excellent but poor during rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C, rising to 4C or locally 5C well inland and north. Feeling like -5 to -8C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1000m at dawn, or 900m inland, lifting to just summits or likely above.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 8th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 5th May 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-40mph, strongest Ben Hope. Westerly trend, easing from the south, staying at least 30mph north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking inconvenienced, at least strenuous in the north with buffeting and notable wind chill. Some improvement.
How Wet?
Showers, may ease somewhat
Frequent showery rain through morning and perhaps into early afternoon; falling as sleet/snow on the highest tops. A chance of easing afternoon, some scattered west coastal showers later.
Cloud on the hills?
Early fog lifts, later just caps on west coast tops
Fairly extensive from dawn from 600m up, or lower slopes of the Cuillin. Lifting through morning to at least 800m, remaining lowest Skye, but also increasingly broken, summits breaks afternoon; cloud caps over coastal summits come and go.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 70% well-inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Soon a patchwork of cloud and sun, perhaps more often sunny afternoon. Variable visibility in showers, but becoming very good as showers ease.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, may briefly rise a degree eastern Munros; lowering afternoon towards 0C. Feeling like -10 to -13 in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Just above the summits at dawn, lowering to the high tops in the northwest, gradually more widely to 900-1000m.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure to the north of Scotland brings stronger wind and a greater risk of showery rain from Thursday. Cooler temperatures, high Munros staying below freezing for several days, the freezing level as low as 800-1000m. Showers affecting England and Wales, always a risk of heavier bursts afternoon, but timing and location of showers uncertain. Early varied cloud tends to lift to higher slopes, often above summits but some tops shrouded for longer. Into the weekend, low pressure south of the British Isles, facilitating a strong easterly wind with increasingly heavy rain and showers for Wales and southern Pennines. Pressure may remain higher in Scotland for a few days, but staying cold here with freezing levels perhaps to 700m. Indications of increasingly widespread unsettled weather into next week.