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
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.
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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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.
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
Saturday 6th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 5th Dec 25 at
4:02PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Wind dropping light across much of the inland Highlands, but gusty near west coasts and staying strong for longer in the far north. Low cloud fairly widespread with patchy rain, clearer toward northwest. Southwesterly winds England, gale-force in Wales, driving in frequent heavy showery rain.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Often dry, some cloud breaks west. Gusty in places, windy north.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 20 to 30mph, gusty in places around some tops and high passes; up to 40mph northernmost areas in morning. Local lulls may develop Kintail area in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Varied, risk generally blustery on exposed terrain, sudden gusty spots, marked wind chill, but on some slopes often small.
How Wet?
Small amounts of rain
Much of the region often dry, a little patchy rain occasionally, locally more frequent toward Caithness mainly morning. Beware possibly icy surfaces some highest terrain.
Cloud on the hills?
Best breaks near west coast
Varying banks of cloud, may linger on some slopes, particularly east-facing hills, most extensive Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope. Coastal Wester Ross generally seeing best breaks, some slopes often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun through high cloud, mainly western areas. Visibility very good away from cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Risk wind chill feeling near -10C if exposed to stronger speeds in north.
Freezing Level
Close to highest northern summits at first, otherwise just above freezing to the tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 7th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 5th Dec 25 at
4:02PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some uncertainty: South to southeasterly 15 to 25mph, may reach 30mph mainly around Skye, risk more widely later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely fairly small, but may become more blustery, greater risk west coastal mountains.
How Wet?
Rain mostly west
Patchy rain most frequent around Skye. By later in the day, greater risk more persistent rain moving in from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks north
Covering many higher areas all day, but some breaks toward tops, these best in areas north of Ullapool.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy. Visibility good where dry, reducing in rain, risk poor on Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, small variation with height inland. Feeling below freezing in wind, risk -5C if speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Above freezing to highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 8th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 5th Dec 25 at
4:02PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwest later southerly, 20 to 35mph, speed likely to fluctuate, may drop briefly, then increase again during daytime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Uncertain timing and intensity of conditions, a better window possible, but be aware of changes; marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most frequent west
Showery rain most common Skye, occasional showers elsewhere near west coast, some heavy with possible hail. Few showers toward Ben Wyvis area. Risk rain develops heavy into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent western tops
Frequently capping the Cuillin and many west coastal tops on the mainland, bases varying 600 to 900m. Cloud more broken north/east, at times clearing tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly east and far north. Visibility very good where dry, but reduced in rain at times west, briefly poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. If exposed to stronger winds, risk feeling close to -10C on high tops.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled onward into next week with areas of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic on prevailing southwesterly winds. Temperatures often relatively mild, typically only higher tops in the Highlands intermittently just below freezing point, expect periods of thawing even up to these tops. Day-to-day weather detail will be uncertain even in short-range as complex systems develop - a series of frontal systems bringing spells of rain - any snowfall mostly confined to highest tops in Scotland; also showers at times with hail mostly near western coasts. Wind speeds will also vary, for periods reaching gale force on tops, but intermittent lulls.