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.)
Wednesday'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+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 9th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Storm-force winds continue over Scottish mountains, beware of storm damage and blocked routes. Gales remain severe over high terrain in northern England and tops in north Wales. Showery rain, hail and on higher tops snow in the Highlands, near-constant in the west. Bands of showers northern England, fewer for Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Storm-force upland winds. Rain frequent west, some heavy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 60 to 80mph, gusts over higher mountains approaching 100mph; peak speeds from overnight moderating a little, but risk re-strengthening middle of day into afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions from modest elevations upward, general mobility very challenging in exposure; severe over higher mountains; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery with hail
Frequent showery precipitation, merging to be near-constant at times in the west, falling as sleet on the Munros, possible snow highest tops in morning, also hail. Wet underfoot, streams in spate.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering high tops
Cloud base constantly changing, but often shrouding higher slopes, at times down to 600m in west, brief breaks to tops inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun mainly eastern areas. Hazy particularly in west, visibility poorer in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, rising slightly into evening. Wind chill feeling near to -15C.
Freezing Level
Near or just above highest summits (1100m+), lifting above higher summits mid-afternoon onward.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 11th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 9th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 40 to 60mph, risk 70mph+ west coastal mountains in morning, tending to lessen afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous, but likely more difficult or severe conditions ongoing, particularly western areas in the morning hours.
How Wet?
Rain on and off, then persistent
Pulses of rain may run in from the southwest, greatest risk more persistent on Skye, sometimes passing northward, but much of Sutherland drier in morning. With time, rain more widely persistent.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent on and near Skye
Covering the Cuillin and nearby coastal hills on mainland most of day, lowest in rain to mid-slopes. Further inland, capping tops for periods, some local breaks north. Lowering further if rain sets in.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mainly north and east, often cloudy west. Hazy, visibility poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, may start to drop into evening. Feeling near -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 12th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 9th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-30mph, rising to 40-50mph, risk stronger over high tops of west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Uncomfortable winds from dawn strengthen to widely arduous walking conditions. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
South showers spread up the west coast
Showers onto Skye from dawn, falling as sleet/snow on the high tops. Showers increasingly frequent and spreading up the west coast afternoon, more widely overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high ground south and west
Inland, some ragged patches from dawn soon clearing for many cloud-free hills through morning. More frequently capping the tops of Skye and nearby Munros, lower bases in showers but also breaks. Will increasingly shroud high terrain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% inland early, 40% south; lowering to 30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some early high cloud passes for frequent sunshine, though increasingly patchy. Very clear air at first but becoming hazy from the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C from dawn, lowering to around 0C. Feeling as cold as -15C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1100m, lowering to 900-1000m.
Planning Outlook
Staying unsettled as southwesterly winds prevail and low pressure systems pass to the northwest of Scotland; sustained gales over the mountains, severe or stormy for periods. Temperatures only just below freezing intermittently on higher Scottish tops, even here will experience spells above freezing with thawing, any lying snow patchy, but beware some icy surfaces on the very highest tops where some refreezing occurs. Driest in eastern areas on Thursday, otherwise rainfall will be frequent and heavy, sometimes showery with hail. Expect wet ground conditions and further flooding of streams and some rivers.