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.)
Saturday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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 28th March 2026
Last updated
Fri 27th Mar 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Feeling bitterly cold in gale-force west-northwesterly winds widely, severe gales on higher Scottish mountains. Extensive showers with hail, snow, chance of isolated thunder, locally grouping into more constant precipitation NW Highlands, also N England in morning; intensity of showers easing during afternoon.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, severe on high tops. Frequent hail and snow.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 50 to 60mph, strongest toward the north and in morning, powerful squalls over 70mph. Speeds lowering during afternoon, to 30mph up to dusk. Gales strengthen again into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, mobility difficult, powerful gusts could knock you over; improving only gradually afternoon. Significant-to-severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow, fewer showers later
Showery morning, frequent to more constant precipitation for a time western mountains, hail and snow falling to some lower elevations; chance isolated lightning. With time becoming fewer and less heavy showers and mostly rain below 600m.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting and breaking higher during day
Often covering higher slopes above 600-800m in the morning, lowest and most persistent toward west coast. Base tending to rise, breaks to higher slopes for periods into afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun breaking through more often as the day progresses. Visibility very poor in showers, then more often becoming very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C rising to 0C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
600m in morning, rising to 800-900m afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 29th March 2026
Last updated
Fri 27th Mar 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest at first, soon westerly, 70-80mph around dawn, then near 50mph all day, sudden squally gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions at first, remaining difficult over the mountains all day, mobility often challenging. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy rain, snow, then showery hail
A swathe of heavy rain from before dawn, a more intense band soon moving through early morning, abruptly turning to snow to mid-elevations. Then showery hail, and snow falling increasingly toward 400m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops
Cloud base constantly changing, 600 to 900m, lowest near west coast in showers, patches at times inland. Briefly breaking to above higher slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mainly in east. Visibility changing quickly, at times very poor, appalling at least temporarily in snow, intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
+1C at dawn, dropping to -1 or -2C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
Briefly just above freezing to upper slopes around dawn, but soon lowering again, to 700-800m before noon, later 600m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 30th March 2026
Last updated
Fri 27th Mar 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to northwesterly, 45 to 60mph, strongest toward north and in the morning, gusts over 70mph high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, very difficult mobility especially morning, gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow & hail showers
Showery snow, also hail in the morning, frequent over western mountains. Tending to ease to lighter and more scattered showers afternoon, by then mostly rain below 500-600m.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent western tops
Likely to cover higher western areas widely in morning, bases 600-800m, tending to rise. Breaks forming higher with time. Will then lower from southwest into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, most common east. Visibility good out of showers, but some haze in west, intermittently poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 or +1C afternoon, then higher after dark. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
600-700m from dawn, rising to 900-1000m afternoon, then lifting above the summits into night.
Planning Outlook
Changeable westerlies prevail onward into early next week, continuing gales over most high terrain. Milder air lifts above freezing to all tops into Tuesday with low cloud, drizzle and rain, most persistent west-northwest Scotland. Likely colder again in Scotland by Wednesday with some further hill snow likely. Some windows of better weather mid-late in the week as higher pressure is nearby - temperatures vary above and just below freezing on Highland tops, more often above freezing England and Wales tops. Some chilly air possible during early April, but drier conditions likely developing with time with more spring sunshine.