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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 10th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
8:07AM
Summary for all mountain areas
Most terrain frozen, snow cover over many hills, beware icy surfaces even lower down. Wind fairly light, but windy Scottish highlands. Some snow showers and flurries, the snow frequent W & NW Highlands where hills extensively foggy.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Snow; very frequent near Skye.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South turning southwesterly 30 to 40mph, strongest near the coast, particularly near precipitation. Strengthening rapidly later evening into the night to gales 50-70mph+.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting balance exposed areas, locally walking difficult. Considerable wind chill. Deteriorating significantly into night.
How Wet?
Coastal showers, snow flurries move inland
Showers most frequent near to west coasts, occasional snow flurries extending east at times, to lower slopes inland, but near coast mostly rain below 500m, some hail. Sometimes the precipitation constant near Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches, more widely in showers
Mountains extensively cloud covered above 450 to occasionally 650m near Skye and near west coast.cloud. Elsewhere, typical cloud base 600 to 800m, although some breaks easternmost areas to 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun, best north/east. Visibility very good away from showers, but in places beware difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, nearer 0C coastal tops. Feeling like -10 to -13C if exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen inland; just above freezing around 300-500m, up to 600-700m near west coast and on Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 11th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
8:07AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, in range 45 to 60mph much of daytime, but risk 70-80mph early morning and likely again into the night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains; frequent buffeting and powerful gusts to some lower slopes, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow soon turning to rain
Snow and freezing rain starts overnight - may fall to lower slopes inland and east for a few hours. Into daytime, increasingly rain toward higher levels widely, heaviest near Skye. Very wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding most higher terrain all day, to lower slopes on Skye and south-facing coastal slopes. Higher bases inland and northwards, some breaks toward tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and mostly dull. Visibility generally very poor, appalling early in day if in snow on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to +2 or 3C, small variation of temperature with height inland. Wind chill feeling like -15C.
Freezing Level
Much terrain frozen to lower slopes inland from dawn, 600-800m+ coasts; rising variably above freezing toward all tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 12th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
8:07AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to 70mph, may fluctuate during the day, risk 80mph for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, any mobility challenging, frequent buffeting even lower elevations. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain much of day west, snow high tops
Frequent to constant precipitation most western mountains, often heavy Skye to Torridon; smaller amounts toward Ben Wyvis. Falling as snow above around 900-1000m. Very wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest west
Covering the hills most or all day above 800m, often 500-600m south Cuillin and nearby coastal hills up to Torridon. Some higher bases at times east and northward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. A general haze, particularly west; visibility very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling around -15C where directly exposed on tops.
Freezing Level
Close to highest summits around 1000-1100m, but later in the day may drop further, more likely into the night.
Planning Outlook
Thawing develops during Sunday, snow turning to rain, rising just above freezing toward highest tops in Scotland, whilst in England and Wales a more rapid and substantial thaw - beware unstable snowpack conditions, then becoming very wet underfoot where melting occurs. A complex and unsettled outlook next week, generally less cold than recently, but still often below freezing over Scottish mountains above 800-1000m, and at least intermittently below freezing over tops in England and Wales. A mix of snow and rain will fall, often snow on Scottish tops with fresh accumulations. Some showery days with hail. Wind will vary in speed and direction day-to-day, some lulls, but risk gales at times on hills.