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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
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.
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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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
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.
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
Sunday 3rd May 2026
Last updated
Sat 2nd May 26 at
4:19PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fog and patchy drizzle in Scotland, cloud most persistent east highlands. Rain over southeast Scotland and English mountains most or all day, extensive low fog over the Pennines; becoming wet underfoot with fast-flowing streams. Patchy rain and fog in Wales too, a risk of heavy afternoon showers.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Well-scattered drizzly showers/flurries; chilly, especially north
How windy? (On the Munros)
At dawn, generally easterly, around 10mph, but soon variable and often less than 10mph. Later, orienting northwesterly, approaching 15mph coastal Munros into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly negligible.
How Wet?
Patchy drizzly showers, often dry
Some drizzle on high terrain of Kintail and Ben Wyvis in the morning, otherwise just well-scattered slight showers; most Munros often dry. Falling increasingly as snow flurries on high tops, perhaps towards 600m northern Munros later in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive early, lifting towards inland summits
Extensive cloud from lower eastern slopes upward at dawn. Bases nearer 500-600m west coast. A lifting trend with time, bases approaching 800-900m afternoon (though main stay lower near the west coast. A rising chance of summit breaks inland north late in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% slowly rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast with poor visibility to start the day. A few glimpses of sun may break out with time, visibility becoming excellent where cloud lifts.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C far north; otherwise 2 to 4C, warmest near Kintail/Great Glen, and perhaps rising a degree.
Freezing Level
Above most or all summits, but 800 or 900m near Ben Hope. A few patchy light frosts inland valleys at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 4th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 2nd May 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20mph, perhaps 25mph for a few hours in the north. A northerly trend late in the day, easing somewhat.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but at times blustery in the far north.
How Wet?
Showers, setting in for a time
Showers drift into the northwest from dawn, which may set in for several afternoon hours. Some local heavier falls, but rainfalls totals mostly small.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive north
Cloud base likely to vary, generally rising through the morning to 650 to 900m, lowest coastal hills. Cloud increasingly extensive for a couple of hours above 400 to 600m, mostly north, and locally to lowest slopes along the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine. Visibility excellent but deteriorating as rain arrives.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C within a few miles of the coast, coldest far north. Inland, rising by mid afternoon to 3C, to 6C Great Glen.
Freezing Level
800-900m far north, lowering towards 700m. Patchy frosts in glens, and approaching 800m south later.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 5th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 2nd May 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable, perhaps a northwesterly trend, 5-15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly negligible.
How Wet?
Scattered snow showers
Scattered snow showers drifting from the north throughout the day, dry periods, but a risk of clustering together easternmost hills with time. Falling as rain below 500m in the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain north and west
Patchy fog to the middle elevations from dawn, lifting through the morning to largely above 900m, Munros becoming often clear. Cloud returns to 800-900m during showers, lowest bases near the northwest where may be more persistent.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine. Largely excellent visibility, but suddenly poor in snow showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
--2C rising to 0C, likely staying milder northern coastal Munros.
Freezing Level
Ben Wyvis to Ullapool may see widespread early frosts, 500-600m near coasts. Rising towards 800-900m.
Planning Outlook
Chilly temperatures on the mountains most or all week, particularly across the Scottish Highlands where fresh snow in some areas and freezing level sometimes below 750m; some overnight frosts developing in the glens and corries, though always thawing soon after sunrise. Mixed weather with showers drifting around the country, though total rainfall will be fairly small. Wind often light as well, though variable afternoon breezes will form, particularly around showers where gusts may be suddenly strong. Local low fog in the mornings, typically lifting towards or above many summits; a mix of high cloud and sun for most. Detail uncertain into next weekend, but lowering pressure brings an increased risk of wind and rain.