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.)
Sunday'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.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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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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.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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
Sunday 1st March 2026
Last updated
Sat 28th Feb 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
South-southwesterly upland gales, strengthening further for Wales during the day, later extending northward. Early snow on hills in the Highlands, patchier northwards, turning increasingly to rain as temperature rises, heavier rain for West Highlands. Generally wet for western England & Wales with blanket low cloud.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales on many mountains. Rain and snow, wettest around Skye.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30 to 50mph, strongest west coast, particularly Skye, gusty downslope to the north. Strengthening further from dusk, soon 60mph+ after dark.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking with chaotic gusts all day, in places more difficult at times in west. Deteriorating further into evening. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain/snow, heavier rain around Skye later
Patchy rain and snow from dawn on Skye, advancing northward during morning, snow falling mostly above 700m but locally lower briefly; smaller amounts northeast. Rain most frequent on and near Skye, setting in heavier here later in the daytime.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive southwest, variable northward
Extensive cloud on the Cuillin down to middle slopes, often lower. Middle slopes upward of Torridon area also often shrouded. East and northward, cloud more variable, breaks above 900m but also lowering to middle slopes at times; some early patches in the corries too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% inland north, to 10% Skye and nearby
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, though a few glimpses of sun may break out in the north. Very good visibility away from fog/rain, increasingly mostly poor Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, lifting to +4C afternoon onward. Feeling like -10 to -12C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
500-700m from dawn, local variability, including lower frost in some glens inland. Lifting with time to above the summits by afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 2nd March 2026
Last updated
Sat 28th Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwest later westerly; speed likely to vary during day, mostly in range 25 to 40mph, likely strongest in north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect blustery conditions often affecting comfortable walking, risk more challenging toward north. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain at times, increasingly hill snow
A few hours likely dry during day, but also bands of showery rain - one may be clearing eastward soon from dawn, another arriving from west during daytime, turning to snow above 800m, later 600m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied with breaks mostly north/east
Varying cloud, some banks at different heights from dawn, tending to thin and break, clearer toward north and east. Then further cloud may lower across western hills during day, most likely near Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, best toward north, then clouding over again. Visibility very good or excellent for a time, reducing to be poor in hill snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C, dropping later toward -1C. If exposed to stronger wind, risk feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
Above summits prior to dawn, but lowering, to 900-1000m into daytime, by dusk likely 700-800m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Last updated
Sat 28th Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-25mph coastal mountains, particularly in the north. Possibly variable lower speeds.
Effect of the wind on you?
Risk blustery and gusty in places locally toward northwest, but may be fairly small many areas.
How Wet?
Precipitation rare if any
Chance of light rain spots toward Ben Hope, otherwise likely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches some western tops
Thin patchy cloud drifting onto western tops mostly above 900m, locally may be more frequent north of Ullapool, otherwise well broken. Often clearing inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun, locally cloudier for periods in west. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to +1 or 2C. If exposed to stronger wind feeling like -5 to -7C.
Freezing Level
800m plus frost in some glens from dawn, rising above 1000m during afternoon.
Planning Outlook
A drop of freezing level onto higher mountains develops during Monday into Monday night; weakening fronts bringing some precipitation, but fading. Higher pressure expands across the British Isles into Tuesday and stays nearby with commonly drier conditions and periods of light winds during early March, though mixed with pushes of strengthening south-southwesterlies bringing some occasional rain in from the west. Often milder air during the next couple of weeks, possibly briefly colder again by the end of the coming week.