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
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 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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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 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 17th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive gales across the hills. Rain preceded by early snow on higher terrain in the Highlands, lifting briefly above freezing to high tops. Showery bursts follow into western Scotland, heavy and frequent with hail later. England & Wales sees rain much of the day, spreading eastward, heavy at times.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland gales, severe high tops. Rain then heavy showers.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50 to 60mph, in morning up to 70mph higher mountains, powerful gusts in places downslope to north/east for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, walking difficult in exposure, particularly morning, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain then frequent showers west
Rain and initially snow above 700-900m before dawn, soon turning to rain to higher slopes, persistent for several hours, heaviest around Skye. Breaking up into showers, but these frequent and heavy with hail near coast. Wet underfoot lower terrain. Beware icy surfaces on highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, higher bases afternoon
Shrouding the hills widely, from mid-to-lower slopes in morning, then some rise of base during daytime, more often above 800-900m afternoon, some higher breaks may form inland, but rare western areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky morning. Skies tending to brighten and visibility improving if rain breaks up.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon up to 3C in morning, later starting to fall to 0C. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Varying, 800-1000m pre dawn, rising above highest summits for several hours, then later dropping to 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 18th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 40 to 60mph, peak speeds varying during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ongoing arduous conditions over higher terrain, walking often difficult in exposure, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers mostly Skye, some snow tops
Showery over west coast mountains, most frequent rain on Skye. Drier inland, north and east. Later in day more persistent rain developing from southwest. Snow at times as low as 800m, risk hail, mainly later.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent west, clearer N/E
Often covering western hills around Skye above 700-800m. Breaks higher up inland and north, but widely lowering in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 60% north mainland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, visibility varying, good intermittently if dry, but reducing to poor in showers, most often Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, rising for a time, then likely to lower again from west into evening.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 19th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting from modest elevations upward. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, hail, snow tops
Showers merging into near constant precipitation in the morning over western hills, with hail, also falling as snow above 800m; risk lightning. Tending to become fewer and less intense showers afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but often capping western tops
Often shrouding higher terrain, cloud base constantly changing, bases 600 to 900m, brief lower patches in west. Occasional breaks toward upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, most common east. Visibility intermittently very good, but at times very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C, slight rise later. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, may then rise a little onward into the night.
Planning Outlook
South-southwesterly winds widely remain gale force over the mountains later this week and through into Saturday, severe upland gales for periods. More heavy rain for England and Wales on Thursday, further flooding expected; rain spreads north into Scotland, falling as snow on Munros. Showery by Friday, most frequent in western Scotland with hail, also snow over tops. Another belt of persistent rain likely arrives from the west into Saturday, snow only highest Scottish tops. A switch to east-southeasterly winds by Sunday into early next week, some residual rain and high-level snow, but a drier theme develops and favouring chillier conditions into the Christmas period.