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.)
Monday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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 15th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving area of rain affects England and Wales, heavy falls over south-facing hills, flooding likely. Drier for much of Scotland, though some showers affect the west coast; beware flooding after previous rain. Back just below freezing over higher Munros, some icy surfaces on tops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy in west, some showers; better north/east.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some variation of speeds, southwesterly 25 to 40mph, strongest over west coast mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Winds uncomfortable or strenuous walking in exposure with a chilly feel, but further east will be smaller effects.
How Wet?
Some west coast showers
Showers mostly near the west coast, most frequent on Skye to coastal Wester Ross, some heavier with possible hail, snow above 800-900m. More scattered inland, often dry toward north and east.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain west, clear periods
Variable banks on west coast slopes, 600-900m, most frequent Skye/Kintail with few higher breaks; well-broken inland with higher bases, many Munros often clear. Increasingly frequent Skye, more widely along the west coast later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Skye, to 60% north/east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine for most, less near Skye, more extensive northward, some high cloud. Very good visibility, reduced in showers west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C. Feelings as cold as -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Beware icy rock surfaces on higher tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 45mph, tending to strengthen over western mountains; onward into night gales become severe.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking over higher terrain, affecting balance on exposed ridges, considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery west coast, snow and hail
Showers most frequent toward coasts and on islands, falling as snow above 800-900m, also hail at times. Some moving inland over Wester Ross, but fewer showers further eastward.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent over west coast tops
Often capping western tops, base varying in and out of showers, mostly 700 to 900m, brief lower patches on coastal slopes. Breaks at times higher up, more common further inland and eastward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility often very good out of cloud, but intermittently poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Slight frost inland glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50 to 60mph, at times 70mph higher mountains, powerful gusts in places downslope to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, walking difficult in exposure, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes.
How Wet?
Rain then showers
Rain and initially hill above 700-900m from before dawn, soon turning to rain to higher slopes, persistent for several hours, heaviest around Skye. Later breaking up into showers, possible hail near coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the hills widely all day, from mid-to-lower slopes in morning, then some rise of base during daytime, some breaks may form inland, but rare western areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky. Skies may brighten and visibility improving if rain breaks up.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 3C, later starting to fall again. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Varying, 800-1000m around dawn, rising above highest summits for several hours, then later dropping to 900-1000m.
Planning Outlook
Prolonged rain will leave flooding of streams and rivers in many mountain areas early in the new week, with the exception of northeastern Scotland. As a front clears Monday into Tuesday it will drop to freezing above 900m, beware of ice forming on higher Scottish mountains. Drier conditions for many on Tuesday, though showery near west coast of Scotland. By Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. A risk of more heavy rain particularly England and Wales later in the week. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, possibly chillier with time.