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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Wednesday 20th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 19th May 26 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy with strong gusts, briefly lighter early in Scottish Highlands. Morning showery rain and low cloud; improving afternoon as patchy sun breaks out, cloud lifting to high terrain with summit breaks, and most areas substantially dry by later afternoon. Low cloud lingers in Wales and NW Scotland.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Increasingly windy, late gales; showery rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15-20mph morning, soon rising towards 25mph Skye, widely strengthening to 30-35mph afternoon, and late in the day a few hours of 40-45mph on west coast tops, lingering longest north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly impeded in exposure, becoming strenuous through afternoon, stability challenged near the west coast and marked wind chill by evening.
How Wet?
Showery rain
Patchy showery rain drifts from the south in the morning, trending westerly in direction, a few dry windows. A broader area of rain sweeps through afternoon, falling heavily and may linger on central and northern areas for several hours. Some fine drizzle lingers on west coast tops, a few odd spots of rain here later too.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, fairly extensive high terrain
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 where rain falls heavier, to 600-800m. Summit breaks possible but likely brief, and perhaps more widely extensive again late in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of sun, best in central/south areas afternoon. Variable visibility, poor in rain but good during dry periods.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, rising up to 8C Ben Wyvis towards Easter Ross for a few afternoon hours. Only slight rise if any to the west, and then cooling afternoon back to 5 or 6C. Feeling as cold as -5C in direct wind later.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 21st May 2026
Last updated
Tue 19th May 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-40mph, lightest early. Gusts to 45mph over tops and passes, also downslope north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous to arduous walking by afternoon, feeling chilly with buffeting gusts affecting stability most of the day.
How Wet?
Rain through morning, drizzly afternoon
Patchy rain arrives from the south soon after dawn, heaviest near Skye/Torridon and along west coast. Rain fades into high-terrain drizzle through afternoon, gradually isolating to southern hills. Around dusk, more rain arrives south.
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 early. Rising towards 700-800m, small chance an odd break towards summits.
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 with time inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, locally reaching 10C by afternoon. Little change with added height. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 22nd May 2026
Last updated
Tue 19th May 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph at dawn, strong gusts including downslope. Easing to 20-25mph, staying gusty over 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
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.
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. May linger here for a few hours, then 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 to the far north afternoon. Excellent visibility out of cloud to the north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C rising to 11C; perhaps a degree milder east and north. Feeling near freezing in early wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Pressure rises as the weekend approaches, facilitating south-southwesterly wind; much milder temperatures arriving, likely warm in England and Wales by the weekend. Blustery wind for a few days, quite gusty too, including to lower slopes early; still feeling chilly on high Scottish tops, and strongest gusts will challenge stability. Patchy rain and hill cloud will continue to affect Scotland as well, most often in the west. Increasingly dry and sunny England and Wales, but always with a risk of cloud and some rain, including early valley mist in sheltered areas. Higher pressure is indicated into next week as well. Precise detail of the high pressure core remains uncertain - the risk of strong wind and spells of rain possible for most areas, but also extended bright and warm periods too.