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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 15th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showery in western Scotland, with hail, snow on higher mountains; fewer showers eastwards, more sun and higher cloud breaks. Strongest winds in NW Highlands, up to gale force tops. England and Wales largely dry and bright, patchy cloud western tops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, gales tops. Frequent showers with hail west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 45mph, tending to strengthen over western mountains, strongest speeds north from Ullapool, squally gusts in showers. Onward into night, gales develop and strengthen from west 50-70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking over higher terrain, affecting balance on exposed ridges, considerable wind chill. Deteriorating into night.
How Wet?
Showery west coast, snow and hail
Showers most frequent Skye and west coast, falling as snow above 800-900m, also hail, chance of isolated lightning. Some moving inland over Wester Ross, but fewer showers further eastward.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent over west coast tops
Often capping western tops, base varying in and out of showers, mostly 700 to 900m, brief lower patches on coastal slopes. Breaks at times higher up, more common further inland and eastward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility often very good out of cloud, best toward east; intermittently poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, beware icy surfaces on tops. Slight frost inland glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 15th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50 to 60mph, at times 70mph higher mountains, powerful gusts in places downslope to north in morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, walking difficult in exposure, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes.
How Wet?
Rain then showers
Rain and initially snow above 700-900m before dawn, soon turning to rain to higher slopes, persistent for several hours, heaviest around Skye. Later breaking up into showers, possible hail near coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the hills widely all day, from mid-to-lower slopes in morning, then some rise of base during daytime, some breaks may form inland, but rare western areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky morning. Skies tending to brighten and visibility improving if rain breaks up.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon up to 3C in morning, later starting to fall to 0C. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Varying, 800-1000m pre dawn, rising above highest summits for several hours, then later dropping to 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 18th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 15th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 40 to 60mph, peak speeds varying during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ongoing arduous conditions over higher terrain, walking often difficult in exposure, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain west, some snow tops
Showery over western mountains, merging into more constant rain, possible hail, or falling as snow at times as low as 800-900m. Drier further eastwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent west
Often covering western hills around Skye above 700-800m. Breaks higher up inland and north, but widely lowering in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, visibility varying, good intermittently if dry, but reducing to poor if rain or hill snow becomes constant.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, rising for a time, then likely to lower again from west into evening.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled southwesterly weather pattern continues mid-late this week. On Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. Showery conditions then persist in western Scotland, with hail and snow on high tops. Scottish mountains often near or below freezing above 900m, only brief thawing higher up. Meanwhile, England and Wales stay mild midweek with more heavy rain likely into Thursday, then lowering to freezing on high tops for periods from Friday. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, fog and frost more common.