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.)
Friday'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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
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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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 26th June 2026
Last updated
Thu 25th Jun 26 at
4:29PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Starting hot and humid again, a cooling trend afternoon. Thundery showers for many in the morning, tending to clear in Wales. Afternoon thunderstorms and torrential rain in north England and Scotland, risk of localised flash flooding near heaviest downpours. Driest south Wales and Northwest Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Variable hill cloud, rising risk of thundery rain south
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northwesterly turning southeasterly, 10-20mph most of the day, notably variable. Gusty around showers and downslope, strengthening later with speeds approaching 30mph over high southern tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small most of the day, but a strengthening trend later with some buffeting gusts forming in the south.
How Wet?
Rising risk of thundery showers from the south
Patchy showery rain in south and eastern areas in the morning may clear for substantially dry hills until afternoon; there may be some fine drizzle in hill cloud. Through afternoon, a rising risk of thundery showers drifting from the south which could cluster into extended downpours.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Mountains likely shrouded above 600-700m most of the day, some local higher breaks here and there, notably west coast later. Bases may reach lower slopes to the south where rain sets in, and likely extensive to lower slopes in the early hours as well.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun. Variable visibility, locally very good where out of cloud, but becoming poor from the south if rain arrives.
How Cold? (at 900m)
12 or 13C from Skye towards Ullapool (including inland areas), rising to near 15C; very humid. Nearer 10 or 11C in the far north with little change all day, and may cool sooner near Ben Wyvis too.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 27th June 2026
Last updated
Thu 25th Jun 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, tops speeds near 35-40mph, to possibly 50mph in gusts, strongest sustained wind over Cuillin.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect strenuous walking conditions, more challenging in places with buffeting gusts knocking you off balance.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain, risk thunder
Clusters of heavy showery rain likely tracking northeastward. Drier moments mainly morning in north, but with time increasing risk of sudden downpours widely, thunder and lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, extensive around rain
Varied to fairly extensive cloud banks in the morning, to some lower slopes. Tending to lift with some breaks forming, perhaps well-broken for a few hours, but then filling in again around rain, ragged patches at varied heights from low levels up.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, rising to 50% inland for a few hours
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional glimpses of sun. Some mistiness in morning. Visibility good for periods where dry, but poor around rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
12 to 14C, milder near/north of Ben Wyvis, lowering overnight from west. Still humid. Feeling cooler directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 28th June 2026
Last updated
Thu 25th Jun 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-30mph, strongest along the coast, strengthening to 30-40mph with time, risk stronger gusts over Cuillin.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded along the coast at dawn, conditions becoming widely strenuous, to arduous west where feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Early rain, becoming driest north and east
Bands of rain pass northeastward from overnight into early morning, brief heavy falls. By late morning, just patchy rain drifting from the southwest, increasingly dry north and east. Skye and nearby stay damp for longer.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive early, often clear afternoon
Most upper slopes shrouded through morning, more extensive to middle slopes in rain, or lower slopes Skye and nearby. Lifting and breaking inland, perhaps largely clear afternoon; Skye and nearby slopes often shrouded above 700-800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, rising to 70% inland afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy morning, breaking to a patchwork of cloud and sun afternoon. Very good visibility, a haze offshore to the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 9C, mildest easternmost hills; Skye may be a degree cooler. Feeling near/below freezing in later wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
The transition away from the exceptionally hot and humid weather begins on Saturday as wind shifts southwesterly and strengthens. Rain and thunderstorms may continue on Saturday as well as perhaps early Sunday, but a front will push east across the country on Sunday, followed by fresher, sunnier weather; patchy rain will likely linger here and there, notably northwest Scotland. Westerly Atlantic patterns dominate next week: high pressure south and low pressure north will bring alternating settled and unsettled windows. Wind generally on the strong side, mild to sometimes warm temperatures, and periods of rain punctuated by bright sunshine. North and western areas most vulnerable to extensive cloud and prolonged rain.