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 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.
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 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.
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
Thursday 15th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Jan 26 at
4:46PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Blustery and chilly south-westerly winds bringing occasional snow and hail showers, most prevalent across the west Highlands. Rain falling below 500m. Drier for England and Wales, but risk of marked deterioration later for southern and eastern Wales as rain and summit snow edges in from the south.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Snow or hail showers and blustery south-westerly winds. Hill fog extensive.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to perhaps 35mph. May ease a little later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong enough to make walking arduous where exposed and balance at times difficult. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy hail and snow showers
Succession of hail and snow showers (mostly rain lower coastal slopes). Small risk thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Unlikely to clear the Munros
Higher areas almost always cloud covered. Cloud base typically 400 to 700m near the coast and 500 to 900m elsewhere. Highest cloud base Sutherland and Ben Wyvis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine. Very varied visibility: sometimes excellent, but appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, but feeling more like -10C in direct exposure to the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
750m, marginally higher close to the coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 16th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Jan 26 at
4:46PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable or south-easterly in direction. 10-15mph or less. Perhaps 20mph up the west coast and Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Mostly dry, bar coastal showers.
Mostly dry, but risk of precipitation in the form of showers for the west coast and Skye. Snow above 500-600m
Cloud on the hills?
Hills may be fairly clear above valley fog.
Hills may well be fairly clear, although some caps of cloud across the tops at times. Likely ribbons of fog through some of the glens.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sunshine, best in the north and east. Visibility very good, away from any fog or showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
700-800m, but frost into the glens at first light.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 17th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Jan 26 at
4:46PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly 10 to 20mph, perhaps 25mph through some cols, passes and summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but wind chill still significant where exposed to the strongest breeze.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Banks or patches of cloud at varying heights from mid to upper slopes, with ribbons of fog some glens. Clearest conditions west coast and far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying banks, fog patches some glens.
Banks or patches of cloud at varying heights from mid to upper slopes, with ribbons of fog some glens. Clearest conditions west coast and far north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%, but 70% far north and west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun toward west coast and far north. Otherwise dull. Visibility good or very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C to plus 2C; highest Ben Hope to west coast. Feeling closer to -8C in the strongest breeze.
Freezing Level
Varied across the area, 600-1100m, highest toward west coast/Ben Hope. Patchy frost into some glens at dawn.
Planning Outlook
A small scale low will pull away early on Friday morning to the North Sea to leave drier and chilly conditions into the weekend with a south to south-easterly airflow developing. Looking further ahead, a colder continental influence may be drawn in on south to east winds, but the extent of this is uncertain. The snow pack across the Scottish Highlands will be enhanced by further spells of snowfall where where fronts edge in from the west, whilst for England and Wales snow accumulating on the hills at times, perhaps in the form of showers from the east.