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.)
Tuesday's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Nov 25 at
12:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Higher areas, mainly Scottish Highlands frozen, and frost some valleys at first. Otherwise, benign as from the west the northerly wind drops and snow and hail showers become isolated.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Higher areas frozen; a few brief hail showers. Light wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly gradually backing west or southwesterly. A prolonged lull to 10mph, but starting to strengthen by dusk near the coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible
How Wet?
Little or no precipitation
Risk of a few brief hail or snow flurries.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied; some higher tops clearing, others remaining in cloud.
Generally, cloud base 700 to 900m, although south from Torridon, many summits cloud free. However, fog will 'hang' on some higher slopes and corries all day. Cloud may begin to shroud west coastal slopes at 300-450m from about dusk.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine, most sun south of Torridon. The air very clear so excellent visibility, but fog some valleys and frequently on higher slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
750m, rising slowly through day. Some frozen ground lower slopes after frost in valleys.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Nov 25 at
12:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40 to 55mph morning. Will veer west and ease, perhaps to or below 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some easing through day, but extensively difficult walking where exposed with powerful gusts and considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle on and off
Rain and drizzle (snow above 800m temporarily). The rain rarely ceasing for several hours western mountains south from Wester Ross, but on and off elsewhere. Generally less wet afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive western mountains, tending to lower elsewhere
Many higher slopes initially cloud free. Will deteriorate, on western mountains south from Wester Ross, cloud forming from lower slopes up. Elsewhere, slowly filling in across higher slopes, typically 500 to 800m afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Dropping to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine: extensively dull and misty as visibility drops in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 2C through daylight. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800m at first; rising abruptly above the summits, in most areas during morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 27th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Nov 25 at
12:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly, strengthening quickly with height to widely 60mph where exposed on higher summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking difficult. Where exposed on higher areas, generally mobility a struggle.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, specially near Skye
Rain and drizzle most of the day - probably easing or clearing only late in day. Heaviest rain western mountains south from Wester Ross, whilst in Sutherland and toward Ben Wyvis, the rain on and off.
Cloud on the hills?
All or nearly all mountains persistently foggy.
Persistent cloud from 200 to 450m western mountains south from Wester Ross. Elsewhere, cloud base between 400m and occasionally 750m. There may be an improvement - but only late in day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun Sutherland and eastern mountains elsewhere. Visibility widely poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C. Will feel as cold as minus 9C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A long series of Atlantic lows passing north of or across Britain will bring high rainfall to western mountains together with frequent upland gales (sometimes storm force) and low cloud. Temperatures on higher tops sometimes below freezing point, particularly at the weekend in Scotland, but elsewhere fresh snow transient.