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
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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 16th November 2025
Last updated
Sat 15th Nov 25 at
3:49PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Snow flurries (rain lower down) arrive in northwest Scotland early and slip into the central highlands. Mixed cloud and sun for southern Scotland and England; only odd light showers on easternmost hills, many hills clear. Drizzly showery rain early in Wales, abating with cloud lifting to high slopes.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Patchy cloud and sun; showery rain passes south
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northwesterly 15 to 25mph. Stronger gusts up to 30mph for a few hours as rain passes. A trend towards higher speeds around and after dusk, approaching 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small effect on walking from morning, but becoming blustery on exposed slopes with wind chill, increasingly so later in the day with strenuous walking into nighttime.
How Wet?
Band of rain, snow tops, moving south
Odd spots of showery rain early (snow mostly above 800m). A band of showery rain arrives from the north in the morning and moves south, snow isolating to high tops as the rain passes. Southernmost hills mostly dry until afternoon. Likely dry behind the rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent north, lowering at times
Patchy cloud mostly on upper slopes, becoming more extensive above 600-700m in precipitation in the north, then broken cloud here later. Areas toward Kintail starting clearer, then banks drifting onto high ground in the afternoon as rain passes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, though dropping to 20% as rain arrives
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny bursts mostly Skye to the Great Glen in morning, clouding over from north, then some bursts of sun appearing in the north. Visibility excellent for periods, but reduced to very poor when in rain/snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C most of the day, briefly rising slightly as showers pass. Dropping to -1C into dusk, further dropping overnight. Feeling like -7C in exposure to wind, down to -10C by dusk.
Freezing Level
Frost many inland glens from dawn, mid-slopes above freezing; near or just below freezing all day above 900-1000m, lowering into nighttime.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 17th November 2025
Last updated
Sat 15th Nov 25 at
3:49PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph, stronger gusts north and east hills. An easing trend from the west later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfort of walking affected, particularly north where strenuous at times with buffeting; significant wind chill. Easing
How Wet?
Frequent coastal snow showers
Frequent snow showers drift onto slopes of the north and west coasts (mostly north of Ullapool) - snow down to middle slopes. Southern areas may be substantially dry, including Ben Wyvis.
Cloud on the hills?
Coming and going on high terrain
Cloud comes and goes around 900m or up throughout the day - well inland southern areas will see extended breaks. Coastal aspects towards the north may be more often shrouded.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% coastal tops, 60% inland tops
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun, though at times more cloudy. Variable visibility - excellent though turning very poor in cloud and snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C (colder on highest tops). Feeling as cold as -13C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
500-600m, though frosts likely widespread into the glens at dawn. Slightly higher Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Last updated
Sat 15th Nov 25 at
3:49PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence: speeds perhaps between 15-30mph most of the day, though risk much stronger; uncertain direction.
Effect of the wind on you?
Effects may be fairly small at times but beware sudden strengthening speeds and direction changes.
How Wet?
Often snowing
Snow showers likely for many areas, merging into a more widespread area of snow for several hours. A few breaks may form but with sudden returns to snow as well.
Cloud on the hills?
Likely extensive, some variability
Most hills shrouded above 600-700m all day. Bases may locally rise with breaks towards high terrain, but also filling in to lower slopes during periods of snow.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast with near-zero visibility during periods of snow which may be extensive and prolonged. Chance of bright breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C
Freezing Level
Terrain likely widely frozen at dawn. Coming up to 600m coastal slopes, perhaps higher southern areas.
Planning Outlook
Cold air spreads widely across the country; staying below freezing over higher mountains most likely throughout the next week with morning frosts to lower elevations. Snow flurries move in onto slopes exposed to coasts; snow most frequent toward north of the Highlands with some locally more substantial accumulations over higher terrain. Sunny and dry for many away from the coasts on the northerly wind. Tuesday and Wednesday are more unsettled: broader areas of snow and rain pass southward with variable wind - navigation could become challenging in the Scottish Highlands on Tuesday with notable snow accumulations. West-northwesterly winds will likely return into next weekend, brining periods of rain and strong winds with intermittent drier, brighter spells.