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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 17th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive snow Scottish Highlands, falling to lower elevations inland, later showers of snow & hail in north/west. Wind varied in Scotland, then strengthening northerlies. Rain and some snow over higher tops England and Wales plus westerlies up to gale force. Cloud covering most higher terrain.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Increasingly windy. Snow in morning, then showery snow/hail.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Very varied in morning, local lulls, but in places gusty 25-30mph, tending to become northeasterly, later northerly, generally strengthening to 30-35mph afternoon, risk 40mph west coast near Skye. Into night more widely 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Beware of changing conditions, sometimes small in the morning, though local more blustery areas; expect a general deterioration to more constant buffeting and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent snow fades, then showery with snow and hail.
Snow from pre-dawn into morning, fading toward midday, extensive Ullapool to Ben Wyvis southwards, patchier north; falling to lower slopes inland, rain on Skye perhaps to 500m+ for a time, but abruptly snow lower down. Then in afternoon, showers near north coast become more widespread, frequent snow and hail later.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, brief breaks middle of day
Shrouding the hills widely in the morning, to lower elevations west coastal areas for a time. Bases tend to rise into middle of day, brief breaks forming to some upper slopes. Will then vary rapidly in and out of showers later in daytime.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast with near-zero visibility during periods of snow in morning. Occasional bright breaks, but then sudden deterioration in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -3C from dawn, highest near the west coast, lowering all areas from north during afternoon-evening to -4 or -5C. Wind chill in stronger speeds near -15C, or late in day toward -20C.
Freezing Level
Much terrain frozen; inland widely near freezing into glens all day, coasts varied, up to 600m for periods, dropping to 300-400m in precipitation, persistently later.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 17th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph, squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often challenging walking conditions on exposed terrain, severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent heavy snow, hail
Succession of heavy snow and hail showers coming in from north, giving near-constant snow northern mountains and frequent down west coast to Skye; chance isolated lightning. Drier near Great Glen. Snow lying to lower slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Cloud base constantly changing, but often shrouding north-facing mountains above 600-800m, some lower shafts of cloud in showers. Brief breaks higher up mostly Kintail to Great Glen.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly inland. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen from glens upward, freezing level lifting up to 400-500m near coast and on islands.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 20th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 17th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 25 to 35mph, squally gusts in showers, over 40mph at first; speeds tending to ease during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking and balance affected on higher exposed terrain, significant wind chill; improving a little during day.
How Wet?
Heavy snow, hail, easing with time
Ongoing succession of heavy snow and hail showers coming in from north; chance isolated lightning. Intensity and frequency of showers tending to ease during day. Snow lying to many lower slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some breaks form
Cloud base continues to vary, but often shrouding north-facing mountains above 600-800m, some lower shafts of cloud in showers. Cloud tending to become more broken. Staying clearest toward Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly inland. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good, more often excellent afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -15C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen from glens upward, partial thawing only lowest sunlit slopes, up to 500m coastal slopes.
Planning Outlook
Snow lying most widely in Scottish Highlands, to lower slopes inland, some high tops elsewhere into midweek. Strong to gale force northerlies Wednesday-Thursday, bringing snow and hail showers focused on northern Scotland and onto north-facing coastal districts elsewhere. Sunnier from central Scotland southward through northern England. By Friday into next weekend, winds shift back westerly and freezing levels rise to upper slopes - some rain likely, snow on high tops at times.