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.)
Friday'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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Friday 20th February 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Feb 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive gale-force southwesterlies. A rise of freezing level toward higher tops in Scotland, where early hill snow soon turns mostly to rain. Lifting above freezing to highest tops in England & Wales by dawn, a few hours of heavy rain. Clusters of heavy showers follow into all western areas with hail, a chance of thunder.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Soon widely upland gales. Rain then heavy showers in west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Starting southwesterly 25-35mph in north, but very soon from dawn rising on Skye and nearby, to 45-55mph, extending to all areas during morning; a westerly shift in afternoon. Powerful squally gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking soon becoming challenging with significant wind chill on high terrain; maintaining stability a constant effort.
How Wet?
Rain, briefly snow tops, then showery
Persistent rain Skye and west coast from dawn, sleet or wet snow on higher areas at first, soon becoming mostly rain toward the tops. Rain extends northeastward, replaced by showery conditions in west, some heavy bursts with hail, chance isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, brief breaks inland/north
Extensive cloud from middle slopes up Skye/Torridon, to lower slopes during rain. Also often to middle slopes along the west coast, some breaks to higher slopes during rain cessations, best chance of high breaks well inland, but these likely only brief.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy but a few bright or sunny breaks well inland and north. Visibility often poor, but excellent during breaks in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C at and before dawn, soon rising, reaching +2 or 3C. Feeling like -13C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Varied around 800m at first, locally lower inland, patchy frost into some northern glens. Soon generally rising, to 1000m, or higher near coast and Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 21st February 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Feb 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 25mph early in the day, but strengthening to be in range 35 to 45mph, later over 50mph Skye to Kintail.
Effect of the wind on you?
A relative lull in morning, but walking conditions likely to become arduous again with time, risk more difficult later.
How Wet?
Often raining, becoming heavier
Rain on and off widely, most persistent western mountains around Skye and Torridon, briefly starting as sleet above 900m. Rain likely setting in widely heavier from the southwest afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanketing the mountains all day, from lower elevations upward near west coast and Skye. Locally higher bases inland and eastward, but rarely above 600-800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull west, some brighter skies possibly toward north/east for a time. Visibility generally poor, locally better early in day north/eastern areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C at first, soon rising to 3 or 4C. Where exposed to increasing wind on tops, feeling like -7 to -10C.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m around dawn, soon rising above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Feb 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, frequent squally gusts in showers, at times to 60mph on higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting making walking arduous in exposure. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, hail, snow high tops
Generally showery, but merging into near-constant precipitation over western mountains, heavy bursts with hail, snow falling mostly above 900m. Risk of isolated thunder, mainly in west.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Covering the mountains much of the time above 800 to 1000m, but cloud bases will vary in and out of showers. Occasionally forming to 600m in west. Some breaks higher up inland and east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly eastern areas. Visibility occasionally very good, but often reduced by showers, at times poor in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m.
Planning Outlook
Southwesterly winds brings milder conditions into this weekend - lifting above freezing to tops in England and Wales with substantial thawing, and generally higher freezing levels in Scotland; periods of thawing to Munro summits will occur but also further snowfall and refreezing on higher terrain during the day-to-day variability of precipitation and freezing levels onward into early next week. Likely colder later next week, back below freezing on higher terrain for a run of days. Often windy with periods of upland gales. Some spells of heavy rain over all western hills and low cloud frequently covering the hills.