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.)
Tuesday'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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Last updated
Mon 2nd Feb 26 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Feeling bitterly cold in gale force easterly winds over the hills. Snow falling to lower slopes, most constant in eastern Scotland with further drifting and whiteout over hills. Snow flurries over the Pennines. Some cloud breaks near west coasts. Rain and increasingly hill snow for Wales, persistent in southeast.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, gusty. Snow east, largely dry west, cloud breaks.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty in places around higher mountains and downslope west of high terrain, particularly toward west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions over exposed terrain, gusts knocking you off balance. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly east and north
Snow frequent or persistent eastern hills from Ben Wyvis area up to Ben Hope. Further west, lighter flurries, rare near coast, often dry Skye and near Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent east, breaks west
Covering much higher eastern terrain above 600m, 800m further inland, but often higher and more broken westwards, but grazing higher slopes for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% east, to 50% west coast near Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mainly near Skye, where visibility mostly good. Very poor if in snow and cloud east/north, whiteout on some higher terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C north and east, to -1C near west coast. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
300-400m Caithness to Easter Ross, up to 600m more western areas, or locally varied higher up on Skye and nearby coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 4th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 2nd Feb 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty, strongest speeds and gusts toward the north, often 50mph all day Ben Hope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions with frequent buffeting gusts, often difficult over northern mountains. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly east
Snow frequent or persistent over eastern hills from Ben Wyvis area to Caithness and at times Ben Hope, sleet or rain lowest slopes. Patchy flurries westward, often dry much of west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent east, breaks west
Cloud covering higher mountains inland above 800m, or to some lower elevations toward eastern coasts. Further west, higher and more broken, best toward Torridon coast and Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, dull and misty eastern hills, poor visibility risk whiteout in fog and snow. Brighter toward west coast, local glimpses of sun and good visibility below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, up to -1C near Skye, rising slightly during day. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -17C.
Freezing Level
300-400m in east, to 600m or locally higher toward west coast. Possible variable rise further onward into night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 5th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 2nd Feb 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25 to 40mph, gusty in places, including downslope to west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous in exposure, frequent buffeting gusts making balance challenging in places. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow northeast tops
Snow flurries mostly eastern hills near and north of Dornoch Firth, may be more frequent snow at times on tops, mostly rain below 600m. Largely dry west coast, particularly Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly east, breaks west
Cloud banks persistent inland and toward east & north above 600 to 800m, lowest near North Sea. Higher and more broken cloud westwards, patches mostly on high tops, often clearer Skye and south of Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun mostly west coastal hills toward Skye with very good visibility. Cloudier inland, hazier north and east, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to -2C, coldest north/east, up to +1C nearest west coast and on Skye. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
700 to 900m, lowest toward east where may drop further; locally varied higher up toward west coast and on Skye.
Planning Outlook
East or southeasterly winds prevail, strong to gale force over many hills for sustained periods this week. Freezing levels will vary, rising briefly during Wednesday from the south, but lowering widely again below 600m during Thursday, tending to lift again over England and Wales on Friday, then possibly rising just above freezing point to higher mountains in Scotland during the weekend, before colder air returns again next week. Further snowfalls mostly over eastern hills in Scotland, occasionally hills in England & Wales, mixed with rain here. Indications of less precipitation and lower wind speeds more often by early next week. Highest cloud breaks generally west & northwest Scotland.