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.)
Monday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Chilly
Air temperature below +5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Chilly
Air temperature below +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
Monday 26th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread over the mountains, during afternoon in Wales strengthening to become increasingly severe on tops. Showery bursts, most frequent in the west, hail and isolated thunder. Merging into constant and heavier rain for England, Wales and southwest Scotland later.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland gales, heavy showers, hail, chance lightning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 35 to 50mph, likely strongest toward northern mountains; squally gusts in showers. Speeds moderating toward evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting across the hills, making balance difficult on exposed ridges; gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, heavy bursts, isolated lightning
Showery all day on western mountains, heavy bursts at times with hail, chance isolated lightning. Falling as snow on highest summits early in day. Fewest showers in east at first, but soon increasingly widespread.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering western tops
Variable cloud bases through the day, but often covering western tops above 800m, sometimes patches to 600m especially morning. Some brief breaks to 1000m or above, more often further inland/east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun west, more frequent sun in east in morning. Visibility at times very good, but suddenly poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3C. Wind chill feeling near -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
Near 1000m early morning, particularly northern areas, rising just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 27th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 30 to 35mph, up to 40mph northern areas; speeds tending to lessen during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking over higher terrain, affecting balance on exposed tops and ridges; gradually improving.
How Wet?
Showers fading
Showery rain on and off near to the west coast, fewer showers eastwards. Tending to ease in afternoon. By evening, small risk of rain extending into the region from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Rising to high tops, some breaks
Variable cloud above 600 to 800m in the morning, mostly western areas. Lifting to 900-1000m with higher breaks afternoon, best inland and east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun best in east and perhaps more widely afternoon. Visibility very good away from showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
Close to highest tops around 1000-1100m early morning, lifting further above summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 28th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 30mph, up to 35mph higher tops particularly northern areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to impede ease of walking and affecting balance on exposed ridges, very blustery in places. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers
Occasional showers most frequent on west coastal mountains in the morning, a few pushing well inland; falling as snow on higher summits for a time, possible hail. Into night, chance of heavy rain moving in from southwest (may stay further south).
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting and breaking
Banks of cloud above 700-900m in the morning, lowest and most persistent west coastal areas. Bases rising toward 1000m with breaks forming higher up afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, improving in coastal areas to become sunnier afternoon. Visibility very good away from showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
Close to very highest summits (near 1100m) early morning, then lifting further above the tops.
Planning Outlook
Changeable conditions this week with low pressure and frontal systems passing west to east. West to southwesterly winds prevailing, speeds varied, but gale force for periods on the mountains. Spells of rain and showers, some periods of sustained heavier rain. Cloud often shrouding higher terrain. Better toward the east and northeast of Scotland. Generally rather cool for Scotland, near freezing on highest summits early in week, then a little milder, or warmer further south over England & Wales. Some improvements in conditions especially in southern areas as pressure builds at times, but mixed westerlies are likely to prevail into the start of June.