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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 21st May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Morning rain in Scotland passes north, afternoon drizzle, rain returns in evening to central/west Munros; slick rock surfaces. Early rain soon clears English hills, afternoon drizzle in Lakeland. Morning drizzle in Wales fades, hills increasingly clear. Strong gusty wind too, local gale-force gusts. Warm Pennines and Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Rain and drizzle, poor visibility; very windy, powerful gusts
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph early, perhaps briefly lower in the north, but soon strengthening from south, reaching 30-40mph, gusty too, most powerful gusts reaching 50mph briefly. May slightly ease in the east.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous to arduous walking by afternoon, feeling chilly with considerable buffeting; strongest gusts requiring notable effort to maintain stability.
How Wet?
Morning rain, afternoon drizzle
Patchy rain arrives from the south soon after dawn, heaviest near Skye/Torridon and along west coast. Rain passes north, most areas clear by afternoon but a persistent drizzle follows, perhaps to middle slopes of Skye and Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
West coast slopes shrouded to 400-600m much of the day, to coastal cliffs in the morning Skye/Torridon. Similar cloud heights inland early as well, though broken to the north just at dawn. Rising towards 700-800m, small chance an odd break towards summits east of Ullapool.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy and often dull, particularly near the coast where visibility will be poor. Locally better visibility afternoon inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, locally reaching 10C afternoon some north and east hills. Little change with added height, likely all day, and staying elevated into night for several hours. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 22nd May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-35mph at dawn, 40mph gusts, including downslope. Easing to 20-30mph, strongest west, and gusty tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking early with considerable buffeting, including downslope; feeling chilly. Easing, but walking stays impeded.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, some drizzle
Patchy rain drifts from the southwest. The rain may be more widespread for a few early hours, and persistent Skye and Kintail. Best chance of dry windows in the afternoon, but a lingering drizzle over summits.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive; lifting, best north
Cloud shrouds most hills above at least 600m, lowest southern and west coast Munros, towards 300m Skye and nearby. Lifting as rain eases, towards 700-900m, or higher to the north, some breaks possible. Always lowest Skye to Torridon and Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, a few glimpses of weak sun afternoon. Excellent visibility out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C rising to 10C east and north; little change Skye and southwest coast hills. Feeling near freezing in early wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 23rd May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-30mph, strongest west, often gusting 35mph west coast, and strengthening, later gusting 45mph west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly strenuous widely, later arduous west coast with considerable buffeting; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Substantially dry
Some fine drizzle around Cuillin summits and nearby mainland summits too. Small chance of odd spots of light rain drifting near west coast Munros, but most hills dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high terrain with breaks
Many hills shrouded above 600-700m in the morning, some local breaks; most extensive Skye, to 500m south Cuillin. A lifting trend, breaks probable too, best inland where cloud mostly just near summits. West coast may see lingering banks at 700-800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 50% inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy cloud and some weak sun, trending cloudier with time. Visibility increasingly very good, particularly inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising up to 7C Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope. Only slight rise Skye. Later feeling like -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Pressure rises into the weekend, facilitating south-southwesterly flow; much milder temperatures arriving, likely warm in England and Wales with wind easing. Staying blustery in north Scotland, gusty too, including to lower slopes early; still feeling chilly on high Scottish tops. Patchy rain and hill cloud will continue to affect Scotland as well, most often in the west. Becoming dry and sunny England and Wales, some early low fog possible, particularly on aspects near the Irish Sea, but this dissipating soon after sunrise. Higher pressure is indicated into next week as well with hot temperatures: valleys approaching the mid-to-high 20s. Some hill cloud, mostly north and west, but most hills seeing plenty of sunshine. Only rare spots of light rain if any.