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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Nov 25 at
3:06PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scotland: Southerly gales with hill fog extend east to become very extensive with rain and drizzle; transient snow upper slopes. England and Wales: Strengthening southerly winds with hills filling in with low cloud with patchy rain and drizzle.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Hill fog becoming extensive from west with rain, transient snow tops. Gales for a time.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-westerly 40 to 55mph morning. Will veer west and ease, perhaps to or below 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some easing through day, but extensively difficult walking where exposed with powerful gusts and considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle on and off
Rain and drizzle (snow above 800m temporarily). The rain rarely ceasing for several hours western mountains south from Wester Ross, but on and off elsewhere. Generally less wet afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive western mountains, tending to lower elsewhere.
Many higher slopes initially cloud free, perhaps all morning hills toward Ben Hope and Ben Wyvis. Will deteriorate, on western mountains south from Wester Ross, cloud forming from lower slopes up. Elsewhere, slowly filling in across higher slopes, typically 500 to 800m afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Dropping to 10%, but 60% for a time in north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine: extensively dull and misty as visibility drops in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 2C through daylight. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800m at first; rising abruptly above the summits, in most areas during morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 27th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Nov 25 at
3:06PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly, strengthening quickly with height to widely 60mph where exposed on higher summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking difficult. Where exposed on higher areas, generally mobility a struggle.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, specially near Skye
Rain and drizzle most of the day - probably easing or clearing only late in day. Heaviest rain western mountains south from Wester Ross, whilst in Sutherland and toward Ben Wyvis, the rain on and off.
Cloud on the hills?
All or nearly all mountains persistently foggy.
Persistent cloud from 200 to 450m western mountains south from Wester Ross. Elsewhere, cloud base between 400m and occasionally 750m. There may be an improvement - but only late in day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun Sutherland and eastern mountains elsewhere. Visibility widely poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C. Will feel as cold as minus 9C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 28th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Nov 25 at
3:06PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph, perhaps topping 80mph for a time western hills in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Extensively difficult or very difficult conditions with severe wind chill and buffeting. Strong gusts into glens.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, snow higher slopes.
Showers most frequent over Torridon to Skye, snow above 700-900m. A band of showery rain and upland snow may move in from the west across all parts.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but extensive western tops.
Bases varying rapidly, but generally around 700-1000m. Lowest bases in the west where at times in showers patches down to 500m. Best breaks in northeast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fleeting bursts of sun, mainly in the east. Visibility sometimes poor due to rain, or on upper slopes snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around freezing, perhaps just below inland, or just above near west coast.
Freezing Level
800-1000m, highest near west coast.
Planning Outlook
A long series of Atlantic lows passing north of or across Britain will bring high rainfall to western mountains together with frequent upland gales (sometimes stormy) and low cloud. Temperatures on higher tops sometimes below freezing point, particularly at the weekend in Scotland, but elsewhere fresh snow transient.