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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 13th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 12th Nov 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold northeasterlies for the Highlands, gale-force over mountains early in day. Snow mostly in northern areas. A slow-moving swathe of rain for southern Scotland and northern England, heavy at times. Previous rain eases to patchy light rain in Wales, but beware of flooding - staying mild here.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Cold, upland gales, lessening. Snow flurries north/east.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeasterly 50mph, gusts 60mph early in day, lessening gradually during daytime to 35mph; after dark easing to 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions across the mountains in the morning, gusts likely to knock you over, improving slowly. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow showers north/east hills
Showers with snow above 600m, most frequent onto northern slopes from off the sea, also pushing inland near Ben Wyvis. More often dry around Skye and nearby mainland.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over higher terrain, breaks west
Patchy cloud above 700-800m, most frequent toward the north and east. Breaks more common toward west coast from Torridon to Skye. Risk of lower cloud more persistent around Ben Wyvis in morning.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast south, patchy sunshine north; may break through more widely at times. Very poor visibility in rain/snow, though improving during breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Feeling like -15C in direct strongest wind.
Freezing Level
800m
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 14th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 12th Nov 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-northeasterly, 25mph to in places 35mph, very gusty downslope toward west; strengthening from dusk 40-50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance on some slopes. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow flurries north and east
Showers and snow flurries most frequent over northernmost mountains, also a few bands of showers likely move in from Moray Firth toward Ben Wyvis and Great Glen. Mostly rain lower slopes below 400m.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks west
Banks of cloud frequent above 500-700m in north and eastern areas, more broken cloud above 800m westwards, tops clearing periodically Kintail to Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly west coastal mountains toward Skye. Slight haze N/E areas, visibility reduced in showers; locally often very good west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
600-700m, but near to freezing on some lower slopes early morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 15th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 12th Nov 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 25 to 35mph from dawn, strongest and gusty Skye and Kintail. Easing with time, a marked lull by afternoon in north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Making balance challenging in places with turbulent gusts downslope at first, lessening to become small.
How Wet?
Largely dry, flurries north/east
Most western areas dry all day. Local brief snow flurries north and eastern mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches north/east, little west
Patchy cloud over hills mainly in Sutherland, mostly eastern slopes above 700-800m, well broken westwards. Toward Skye, Torridon and Kintail, mountains likely substantially clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% north, to 80% Wester Ross-Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best in west coastal areas. Some patchy cloud north and east. Visibility mostly excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C. Wind chill early in day feeling like -12C, improving.
Freezing Level
Around 700-800m, local variations - some lower slopes near freezing in morning. May rise a little during day.
Planning Outlook
High rainfall with significant flooding expected for Wales by the end of this week, risk flooding too in Peak District. Drier overall across the Highlands. Strong to gale force easterlies later this week, then northerlies are expected to dominate onward into next week. Colder air extends to all areas, staying below freezing over higher mountains most likely throughout next week to 10 days. Some accumulations of snow over Scottish mountains, initially mostly northern areas, possibly more widely across all mountain areas during next week - Tuesday-Wednesday in particular, but lower confidence of forecast detail by then.