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.)
Saturday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 17th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving area of snowfall in central-eastern Highlands, may be often patchy and light, but risk locally more persistent, low cloud extensive. Clearer northwest coasts of Scotland. Low cloud much of northern England, some early rain and hill snow. Drier for Wales with varied low cloud. Light-moderate SE'ly winds.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Largely dry, cloud breaks west. Light-moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 10 to 20mph, in places 25mph through some cols, passes and summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but marked wind chill in exposure on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Rare flurries
Local snow flurries, amounting to little, many areas largely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying banks, clearer west coast
Banks or patches of cloud at varying heights from mid to upper slopes, greatest risk over eastern hills, filling in here afternoon. Clearest conditions west coast and far north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 70% nearer west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun toward west coast and far north. Otherwise dull. Visibility good or very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C to +2C; highest Ben Hope to west coast. Feeling closer to -8C in the strongest breeze.
Freezing Level
Varied across the area, 600-1100m, highest toward west coast/Ben Hope. Patchy frost into some glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 18th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly, 25 to 35mph, strongest Skye, suddenly gusty on some downslopes to the north of high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance on tops. Varied lower down, but in places very blustery. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Little if any precipitation
Chance of local snow grains or brief flurries mainly around Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but some tops clear
Some fog banks glens and lower slopes, fragments of cloud around some upper slopes, but many western tops may be often clear. Greater risk of low cloud banks up to higher slopes on Skye, lowest south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, but 30% Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best in north coastal areas where visibility very good. Hazy or misty toward south Cuillin.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C inland, up to +1C some west and northwest coastal areas. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Inland near or just below freezing from many glens upward, but near W/NW coast typically above freezing up to 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 19th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 25 to 30mph, risk locally gusty 35-40mph, greatest risk Cuillin, particularly downslopes to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, starting to affect comfortable walking, on exposed ridges balance may be challenging. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain or snow
Patchy areas of rain, or snow flurries mostly on higher terrain, most likely near coast around Skye. Small amounts inland, largely dry toward the far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but often clear northwest
Banks of low cloud most persistent around Skye, lowest on southern Cuillin. Patches likely to drift over hills elsewhere, but more often clearer near/north of Ullapool.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% Skye, to 60% near NW coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly in far north. Visibility good away from cloud, poorer on Skye if damp.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C, small change with height inland. Feeling like -10C where exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
800 to 1000m. Also slight frost inland glens early morning.
Planning Outlook
A slow-moving weather pattern onward into early next week with chilly air in place across the British Isles, mountains staying near to freezing point in Scotland, typically just above freezing to high tops in England and Wales for a few days. Some weak fronts try to push in from the west bringing occasional rain and hill snow, amounts generally small. High pressure around Scandinavia is likely to dominate the patterns into the later stages of January, with colder air trying to push in from the east, much mountain terrain will be frozen. Occasional snow likely, generally driest in the northwest.