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.)
Saturday'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.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
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
Saturday 30th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 29th May 26 at
3:52PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Early patchy rain west Scotland, east hills dry and clear of cloud. Afternoon brings more substantial rain and cloud to west Scotland, spreading east with time; becoming blustery west too. Weak sun and clear hills England and Wales, mild-to-warm, notable breezes later for Eryri NP and Lakeland.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Patchy rain and hill cloud, more afternoon; becoming blustery west
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly at dawn 20-25mph, though southwesterly Skye, soon widely southwesterly. Strengthening to 25-30mph, strongest west coast, to 35mph over the Cuillin for a few hours. Staying lighter towards east coast, easing widely later.
Effect of the wind on you?
A notable breeze from dawn strengthens, likely several hours of strenuous walking on the high west coast tops with considerable wind chill. Effects ease again late in the day.
How Wet?
Periods of rain, most through later afternoon
An area of patchy rain pushes northward in the morning, minimal totals, and most hills dry. A dry window is probable around midday, then more patchy rain pushing northward across all areas, which may become widespread late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches on high terrain early, becoming extensive through afternoon
Patchy cloud banks mostly western hills at first, starting clearer inland/east, some caps graze tops around rain. Cloud lowering and filling in over many hills through afternoon, over south and western mountains to 600-800m, as low as 500m south Cuillin.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% dropping to 10% west
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, a few sunny glimpses through early afternoon, then overcast and dull. Visibility starts good, then reducing to poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, reaching 9C afternoon inland, to perhaps 10C Ben Wyvis and nearby northward; small change with added height. Feeling near freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 31st May 2026
Last updated
Fri 29th May 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-25mph, some stronger gusts and a westerly trend with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small but ease of walking sometimes affected on high exposed summits.
How Wet?
Showers
Showers drive in from the southwest much of the day, some persistent rain just around dawn on northern Munros. Some risk of heavy, thundery bursts Caithness afternoon. A slight easing later in the day, a lingering drizzle west.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, improving
A sheet of cloud shrouds the hills to 600-700m in the morning, as low as 400m Skye and nearby slopes. Bases lift through morning from the south, approaching 600-900m, highest east, and some breaks too as showers ease.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 40% east, only 20% west
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy, some bright breaks south and east. Variable visibility, often poor in showers but very good where clear.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, or 7C well inland; may reach 8C Ben Wyvis and nearby hills northward.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 1st June 2026
Last updated
Fri 29th May 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly before dawn, shifting south-southeasterly 10-15mph, may be variable with lower speeds at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Some patchy rain
A few odd spots of light rain drifting from the south in the morning, many hills dry, then a rising chance of patchy rain from the south through the day, including east slopes; rainfall totals likely small.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, several clearer hours
Cloud covers most hills above 600-700m at dawn, lower and extensive west coast. Lifting and breaking through morning, many summits clearing, patchy cloud clings to the high Cuillin. A rising risk of cloud returning above 800m through afternoon from the south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, some high cloud around, more sunshine for a few early afternoon hours. Excellent visibility out of rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, rising to 9C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Changeable southwesterlies prevail as the weekend transitions into next week. Sunday sees showers for west hill groups, more widely and sometimes heavy in Scotland. Monday brings more widespread rain and wind into England and Wales, showers continue in Scotland. An unsettled theme is expected during the first ten days of June. Frontal systems from the Atlantic bring periods of rain, wind, and low cloud. Wind speeds will vary, but reaching gale force on mountains for periods, England and Wales looking particularly vulnerable. A few brighter windows, but these brief and often interrupted by afternoon showers with a risk of local thunder. Sometimes chilly in Scotland when the wind turns northwesterly though staying above freezing to summits.