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.
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.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
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
Saturday 31st January 2026
Last updated
Fri 30th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Winter conditions on most high mountains; deep snow and large drifts in central/east Scotland, whiteout conditions in fog. Mostly dry NW Scotland. Morning rain in south Scotland and England trends patchy, often dry south Pennines. Often raining in Wales, most on western slopes. Freezing levels rise towards upper slopes.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Some snow flurries inland and east; windy, particularly north
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 30-40mph, strong gusts over summits and downslope reaching 50mph. Some variability in strength, at times lower speeds around Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous in exposure, often arduous on high terrain with buffeting gusts making stability challenging. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Some snow flurries east, later south
Snow flurries and sleet falling into Caithness, patches drifting to Kintail and East Ross with time, perhaps to Ben Hope too. Only odd spots will reach Skye. Snow level rises slightly with time, towards the summits of Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Inland Munro summits shrouded, breaks west for a time
Cloud covers the Munro summits from Kintail north to Ben Hope, eastern high terrain often foggy with lowest bases in Caithness, to middle slopes. More patchy Skye/Wester Ross, mostly high terrain, summits clear for periods but with a greater chance of cloud banks later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, west coast starting nearer 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of sun near the west coast but often cloudy. Good visibility out of precipitation, though a light haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C, rising to -1 or 0C, highest temp Skye/Torridon, locally may reach 1C. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
500-700m, higher west coast, locally 900m; rising more widely to 700m or higher with time, some variability around 900m overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 1st February 2026
Last updated
Fri 30th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 35-45mph north, nearer 25-35mph towards Skye, gusty. An easing trend, notably south, may lower to 10mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous-to-arduous in exposure in the north with significant wind chill. Easing in the south to fairly small.
How Wet?
Rain mostly northeast, later southwest
Patchy rain onto central and eastern hills, most frequent Caithness to Ben Hope. Only spotty precipitation west, then rain arrives to Skye afternoon, patches drifting into Wester Ross.
Cloud on the hills?
Most high terrain, breaks west
Cloud covers the high terrain of most inland and eastern mountains, the lowest bases east down to middle slopes. Broken and higher bases west coast, perhaps some summit breaks, cloudier southwest with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% west, lowering to 30% widely
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of sun towards west coast, mostly cloudy elsewhere. Good visibility out of cloud, poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, highest temperatures on the west coastal hills. Feeling like -10 to -13C in the wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, highest level on the west coast where some summits may be near freezing point. May lower late in the day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 2nd February 2026
Last updated
Fri 30th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25-40mph, strongest north and later strengthening in the south too. Gusty, tops speeds to 45-50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in the south early, deteriorating, becoming strenuous-to-arduous with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Many hills dry
Showery rain drifts into Caithness from the east much of the day, a few spots drifting towards Ben Hope and into East Ross. Snow flurries may reach further inland with time, but west coast Munros stay dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, lowest north and east
Cloud caps the high inland and east hills much of the day, lowest bases around Caithness/Ben Hope, to mid-slopes or lower during precipitation. Well broken towards Skye, clearing summits at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 50% Skye
Sunshine and air clarity?
Most sun on the west coast, particularly Skye, some cloud building with time. Very good visibility out of precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C. Typically higher on the west coast, near 0C or locally a degree higher. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined - around 600m, though locally lower south and east; west coast up to 900m.
Planning Outlook
Unsettled weather persists through the late weekend and into next week: a southerly flow is dominant through Monday, lifting freezing levels and brining precipitation to most mountain groups through the early week. The Munros will likely stay below freezing; precipitation will continue to fall as snow on high terrain: snowdrifts from the Cairngorms to central and southern Highlands with a continued risk of flooding here. Gales are likely as well. Southeasterly winds will tend to re-establish later in the week, lowering freezing levels and drawing cloud and precipitation into the Pennines and eastern Scotland, the snow level dropping to middle elevations with time. Cloud and precipitation more patchy in the west with the brightest skies northwest of high summits.