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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Monday 9th March 2026
Last updated
Sun 8th Mar 26 at
3:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Humid air will bring extensive low cloud and bursts of showery rain to the mountains. However, in places breaks in the low cloud will allow sunshine through, whilst the cloud base will be very varied - making detail difficult. Windy northern and western Scottish Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy; mainly near Skye precipitation and low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 30 to locally 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect considerable buffeting and wind chill across higher areas.
How Wet?
Patchy rain/snow mainly morning.
Mainly near the coast, rain (snow above 750-900m) from time to time - but away from western mountains near Skye will amount to very little. The precipitation will tend to fizzle with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive morning; cloud base may lift, and clear some areas.
Near the coast south from Wester Ross: Almost blanket fog probable from dawn, the base very low particualrly Skye. Slowly breaks will develop to 450, perhaps 750m. Elsewhere: varied, cloud covering some lower slopes but not others. By afternoon, some or many higher areas clearing.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% near Skye; rising to 50% elsewhere.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud will tend to break, perhaps substantially by afternoon north from about Torridon. Visibility becoming mostly excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Between 0 and 2C.
Freezing Level
Between 900 and 1150m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 10th March 2026
Last updated
Sun 8th Mar 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly; increasing markedly with height to a gusty 40mph or by late afternoon 50-60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Markedly increasing buffeting and wind chill with height. Balance and general mobility increasingly difficult on higher slopes.
How Wet?
Rain now and again
Rain from time to time - very little in total. Most persistent Skye and within a few miles of the coast adjacent to Skye. Sleet above 750m.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent very low cloud near Skye; may clear northern and eastern summits
Skye and nearby mainland: persistent fog, at times the cloud forming at or below 300m. Highest cloud base elsewhere; north of about Torridon and east toward Ben Wyvis typically 750-1000m middle of day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil near Skye to 30% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mainly or only lower slopes near and north of Ullapool and near Ben Wyvis. Hazy, particularly near the coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C - little temperature drop above 900m. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits - some terrain above 900m may be frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 11th March 2026
Last updated
Sun 8th Mar 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly up to 60mph post dawn; through day dropping slowly, typically 40 to 50mph middle of day, strongest far north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect significant or severe wind chill and walking - sometimes any mobility - to be very difficult across the hills, particularly near precipitation.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Particularly morning, succession of sudden hail and above 600m snow showers. Sometimes whiteout will occur.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistently covering higher areas; rapid variation in cloud base.
In precipitation, cloud forming below 300 to 500m (generally lowest morning near the coast). Otherwise, by midday (as average cloud base tends to rise) between 600 and 1000m, highest on easternmost areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, mainly afternoon lower slopes well inland. Very varied visibility: general haze, but abruptly appalling in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel like minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m
Planning Outlook
Later this week - with the current mostly cloudy and hazy or murky conditions clearing on Tuesday night. Bouts of upland severe or storm force winds will reach the Scottish Highlands and gales periodically affecting other mountain areas. Freeze thaw cycles will occur on higher areas south from S Scotland whilst the Scottish Highlands experience infrequent thaw, with fresh snow sometimes reaching lower slopes, whilst extensive higher up.