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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 27th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Nov 25 at
1:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Powerful south to south-westerly winds, bringing widespread upland gales with rain on and off, frequent or constant for western mountains, and persistent fog across the hills. Later a cold front will move in, clearing to squally showers Scotland around dusk.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales or severe gales with severe wind chill. Frequent rain and extensive hill fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening quickly with height to widely 60mph where exposed on higher summits. May exceed 70mph west coast later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking difficult or very difficult later. Where exposed on higher areas, generally mobility a struggle.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, specially near Skye
Rain and drizzle most of the day - clearing to squally showers from dusk on passage of cold front, with snow returning to tops. 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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 28th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Nov 25 at
1:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph, perhaps topping 80mph for a time western hills in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Extensively difficult or very difficult conditions with severe wind chill and buffeting. Strong gusts into glens.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, snow higher slopes.
Showers most frequent over Torridon to Skye, snow above 700-900m. A band of showery rain and upland snow may move in from the west across all parts.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but extensive western tops.
Bases varying rapidly, but generally around 700-1000m. Lowest bases in the west where at times in showers patches down to 500m. Best breaks in northeast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fleeting bursts of sun, mainly in the east. Visibility sometimes poor due to rain, or on upper slopes snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around freezing, perhaps just below inland, or just above near west coast.
Freezing Level
800-1000m, highest near west coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 29th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Nov 25 at
1:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in forecast: Most likely northerly, 15 to 25mph, may increase to 30 to 35mph through day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for significant wind chill in the north wind and some buffeting, which may increase through day.
How Wet?
Scattered snow and hail showers
Scattered snow and hail showers, becoming increasingly confined to the north and west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, covering tops fairly widely.
Cloud cover variable across area, but scope for fairly extensive coverage across the tops above 800-1000m, with the best breaks in the south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Sunshine and air clarity?
A mix of cloud and patchy sun; the latter mostly in the south. Visibility excellent, but poor or very poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around -2C
Freezing Level
Around 600m
Planning Outlook
Colder over the weekend again, but much uncertainty on the track of a small scale low on Saturday which would bring rain, upland snow and a core of strong winds for a time, most likely England and Wales. Sunday then mostly dry, bright and cold. Next week,. 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 stormy) and low cloud. Freeze-thaw cycles, with periods of fresh snow for Scottish hills especially.