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.)
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in 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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in 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
Thursday 4th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 3rd Dec 25 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A complex weather situation with areas of frequent or persistent rain and hill snow, focused from the southern Highlands to northern England; often strong SE'ly winds. Further north in the Highlands, generally drier with higher cloud breaks. In Wales, becoming showery westerlies with risk of hail.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strongest wind easing. A little rain Skye; brighter north.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeast, becoming southerly in west; 25 to 40mph, gusty in places around higher mountains and locally downslope to north/northwest of tops; around Skye to Torridon strongest in morning, here tending to ease afternoon. May then increase into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, frequent buffeting gusts on some slopes toward north/west, affecting balance in places; an easing trend around Skye. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain Skye, rare north
Risk rain on and off southern slopes around Skye most of the day, possible snow flurries just higher Cuillin above 900m. Some odd patches push further north at times, though many inland northern areas often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, mostly high terrain; breaks north
High tops south of Ullapool often in cloud with bases to 900-1000m, lower banks forming in precipitation; variable and a chance of breaks. Cloud banks at various heights near the east coast as well. Clearest northwest. Clearest tops in Sutherland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south to 50% northwest
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast, layers of high cloud; brighter north with some sunny glimpses around Ben Hope. Excellent visibility out of cloud, locally poorer where rain occurs Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, warmest in the northwest. Feeling like -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing around 900-1000m particularly inland around Kintail, but above freezing to higher slopes mainly north and northwestern areas.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 5th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 3rd Dec 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25-35mph, strongest Skye. Rising to 40mph afternoon, and further into night towards 50mph+.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking affected from dawn, deteriorating to difficult conditions into and overnight. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Early patchy snow, late rain; most south
Patchy morning sleet/snow on Skye and nearby, some patches drifting north but trending dry for several hours. Rain (snow on high terrain) then arrives from the south late afternoon with patches more widely overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south and eastern hills, variable
Fairly extensive on south and eastern hills from 700m up, lower in the south early in patchy snow. 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 for a few hours
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some morning sun in the north, becoming widely overcast. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C, little change with height. Will rise in the late overnight hours. Feeling like -15C in strong wind.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined, 600-800m though frost at lower elevations, including in glens. Rising overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 6th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 3rd Dec 25 at
4:25PM
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
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled through the weekend and into next week with areas of low pressure circulating near to the British Isles. Temperatures often near to freezing point on higher Scottish mountains, at times on tops elsewhere, though some thawing will occur periodically even to high tops in the Highlands. A complex series of frontal systems bringing spells of rain and some upland snow, mixed with showers with hail mostly near western coasts. Wind speeds will also vary, often south to southwesterlies, at times reaching gale force on tops, but intermittent lulls.