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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
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
Friday 5th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 4th Dec 25 at
3:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
South-southeasterly winds strengthen, reaching gale-force afternoon many areas, sooner Wales, here becoming severe. Some rain / hill snow NE Scotland fades, patchy rain west coasts, otherwise dry, then rain sweeps in from southwest later, snow inland mountains into evening. Best cloud breaks NW Scotland.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gusty wind, gales later. Patchy rain, otherwise dry til late.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25-35mph, speeds varied during day, locally gusty around some high tops in morning, easing for a time. Rising to 40mph afternoon Skye, more widely from dusk, and further into night towards 50-60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking affected from dawn, sudden buffeting gusts in places, easing for a few hours, but then deteriorating to difficult conditions into and overnight. Significant wind chill early and later.
How Wet?
Local rain for a time, then dry until rain develops from south later
Patchy rain, some sleet or snow on tops, mainly Sutherland, drifting north. A little rain on Skye. Otherwise dry for much of daylight. Then from dusk, rain arrives from the south, more widely into night (snow on high terrain mainly inland), though little in the north.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south and eastern hills, variable
Fairly extensive on south and eastern hills from 700m up, lower on some slopes. A brief lifting and breaking trend, notably near the west coast where breaks may reach some summits, but lowering again afternoon into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, 50% west coast north of Torridon
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun occasionally through high cloud, but largely cloudy. Very good visibility much of day, particularly in west Torridon northward.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C, little change with height. Will rise in the late overnight hours. Wind chill effect will vary, but early and late near -10C, colder after dark.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined inland, 600-800m, though frost at lower elevations, including in glens. Rising overnight variably to upper slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 6th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 4th Dec 25 at
3:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 20 to 30mph, gusty in places around some tops and high passes; risk 40mph northernmost areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Varied, risk generally blustery on exposed terrain, sudden gusty spots, marked wind chill, but on some slopes often small.
How Wet?
Small amounts of rain
Much of the region often dry, risk a little patchy rain occasionally, may be more frequent northern areas mainly morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Best breaks near west coast
Varying banks of cloud, may linger on some slopes, particularly east-facing hills, most extensive Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope. Coastal Wester Ross may see good breaks, possibly often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun through high cloud, mainly western areas. Visibility very good away from cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. Risk wind chill feeling near -10C if exposed to stronger speeds in north.
Freezing Level
Close to highest northern summits at first, otherwise above freezing to the tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 7th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 4th Dec 25 at
3:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some uncertainty: South to southeasterly 15 to 25mph, but small risk increasing over 30mph, mainly around Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely fairly small, but note some uncertainty, possibility of worsening conditions, greater risk toward south.
How Wet?
Rain mostly west
Patchy rain most frequent around Skye. Low risk more persistent rain moving in from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks north
Covering many higher areas all day, but some breaks toward tops, these best in areas north of Ullapool.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy. Visibility good where dry, reducing in rain, risk poor on Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, small variation with height inland. Feeling below freezing in wind, risk -5C if speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Above freezing to highest tops.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled through the weekend and into next week with areas of low pressure circulating near to the British Isles. Day-to-day detail will be uncertain even in short-range as complex systems move around slowly - a series of frontal systems bringing spells of rain and some high-level snow, mixed with showers with hail mostly near western coasts. Temperatures often on the milder side compared to recently, with typically only higher tops in the Highlands intermittently just below freezing point, expect periods of thawing up to these tops. Wind speeds will also vary, often south to southwesterlies, at times reaching gale force on tops, but intermittent lulls.