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.)
Friday'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+
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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+
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 19th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Dec 25 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southwesterly gales, severe across the Highlands, giving significant wind chill and showers. Showers frequent western Scotland, with snow falling down to 800m with hail and risk lightning. Scattered showers for England and Wales where hill fog confined to western tops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe gales; significant wind chill. Frequent showers, snow tops. Risk thunder.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting from modest elevations upward. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, hail, snow tops
Showers merging into near constant precipitation in the morning over western hills, with hail, also falling as snow above 800m; risk lightning. Tending to become fewer and less intense showers afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but often capping western tops
Often shrouding higher terrain, cloud base constantly changing, bases 600 to 900m, brief lower patches in west. Occasional breaks toward upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, most common east. Visibility intermittently very good, but at times very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C, slight rise later. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, may then rise a little onward into the night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 20th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Dec 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-easterly 25 to 40mph, but on and near Skye 45 to 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous, or near west coast and Isles difficult, with a very turbulent airflow. Significant wind chill and buffeting.
How Wet?
Most areas dry, damp on and near Skye.
Most areas dry, although a front near the west coast will likely bring damp weather on and near Skye with rain, and over highest tops, patchy sleet or snow.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly hills on and near Skye
Hills on and near Skye, likely covered extensively in fog throughout the day, from mid slopes upwards. Elsewhere, varied banks upper slopes, but often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% on and near Skye. 60% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun possible as cloud layers thin at times. Visibility good or very good, but poor in any rain. General haze west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 4C, highest northern hills, small rate of change in temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Confined to highest tops or above
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 21st December 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Dec 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly backing easterly 20 to 30mph, perhaps lifting to 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, turbulent airflow with significant wind chill. Sudden gusts running downslope and reversals in direction.
How Wet?
Many areas may well be dry
The legacy of a front may give patchy rain and snow tops, on and near Skye. Whilst a few showers may well feed in to Easter Ross and Caithness. Dry otherwise.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, best breaks west coast
Be prepared for fairly extensive cloud on the hills, most widespread Ben Wyvis up to Ben Hope, and perhaps Skye too. Higher bases and best breaks west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun perhaps toward west coast. Otherwise cloudy. Visibility good, but poor in any rain or snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 1C, small change in temperature with height. Feeling closer to -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1000m
Planning Outlook
A switch to east-southeasterly winds by Sunday into early next week, some residual rain and high-level snow, but a drier and colder theme develops into the Christmas period and perhaps into the New Year, as high pressure builds to the north and northeast. An extensive cloud sheet will likely come in from the North Sea over many days with light snow showers or flurries likely, rain to lower slopes, but many areas dry. Best breaks in the west.