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.)
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Very warm
Warm conditions across the hills, rising above 15C on tops. Increasingly hot on lower terrain, reaching 25C+ in many valleys. Beware of dehydration.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Very warm
Warm conditions across the hills, rising above 15C on tops. Increasingly hot on lower terrain, reaching 25C+ in many valleys. Beware of dehydration.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 28th May 2026
Last updated
Wed 27th May 26 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gusty winds, warm and humid, a mix of strong sun and high cloud - the warmest day this week for the Highlands, but locally low cloud southeast. Northern England starts with a risk of thunderstorms, but clearing. An isolated thunderstorm possible for Highlands, mainly NW later. Low cloud near west coast of Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Increasingly windy Skye. Very warm sun, risk a thundery shower.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly, 20mph or less for a time, locally little wind inland-north in morning; strengthening during day to 20-30mph, strongest west, gusty 40mph afternoon and evening, mainly Skye. Into night S-SW'ly 25-40mph, stronger later in night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small for inland areas in morning. Increasingly blustery, affecting ease of walking and balance on exposed terrain, later considerable buffeting on Cuillin.
How Wet?
Risk a local thunderstorm late in day
An odd burst of rain may form later afternoon, toward evening chance of an isolated thunderstorm, greatest risk on the western mainland. Into night, bursts of rain develop more widely in west, possible thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills clear until late
The mountains largely clear all day. By dusk onward, cloud banks starting to lower onto hills as and where rain develops, filling in further on west coastal hills into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Practically certain until late evening
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun and thin high cloud, tending to thicken during the day from the south. High UV, beware sunburn and dehydration. Visibility very good, but increasing haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
13C rising to 16C, locally 18C inland by afternoon, humid, though moderated by breeze. Cooling to 8C well into night. (Reaching 28C in some glens in afternoon).
Freezing Level
Well above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 29th May 2026
Last updated
Wed 27th May 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, strongest sustained speeds much of day toward north, in places 60mph, stronger gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions, frequent buffeting knocking you off balance. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and showers
Rain fairly persistent over western hills in the morning, heavy for a few hours, smaller amounts east. Tending to break up into showery rain and some drizzle on windward slopes in west.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding western mountains most of the day above 600-800m, or lower for periods near to coasts in rain. Some higher breaks mainly eastern areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly east, otherwise cloudy. Visibility poor in rain, better eastward, may improve elsewhere at times, but hazy west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C. Wind chill feeling like -7 to -10C on high tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 30th May 2026
Last updated
Wed 27th May 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 30 to 50mph, strongest over west coastal mountains, particularly Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions on higher western tops, often difficult on Cuillin. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and showery bursts
Patchy rain moving in from the west in morning, likely to become more persistent over western mountains, some heavier rain mixed in at times. Later showery, some heavy bursts possible.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasing extensive
Patchy cloud banks mostly western hills at first, starting clearer inland and east. Cloud lowering and filling in over many hills, over western mountains to 600-700m, or lower slopes near coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% dropping to 10% west
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy and dull, a brighter start in east. Visibility starts good, then reducing to poor in rain, general haze in west, better in east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, slightly higher in east afternoon. Wind chill feeling like -5C on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Gale or near-gale force southwesterlies on Friday for the Highlands, strongest toward the northwest, where accompanied by rain, drizzle and low cloud. Nearer average temperatures for all into the weekend onward as changeable southwesterlies prevail - a generally unsettled theme is expected during the first ten days of June with lower pressure dominating. Frontal systems come in from the Atlantic - rain, drizzle and low cloud most common on western coastal mountains, but showery days are likely more widely at times, possibly rain more widely further south later in week. Wind speeds will vary, but reaching gale force on mountains for periods.