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.)
Wednesday'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.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is 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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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.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is 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
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 18th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong to gale-force northerly winds; severe chill factor on the mountains. Terrain widely frozen with fresh snow cover. Snow and hail showers frequent in the northern Highlands. Showers also north/west Wales. From the central Highlands into northern England, generally dry with sunshine and very clear air.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Bitterly cold; gale-force wind, heavy snow, hail, risk lightning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph, squally gusts in showers, over 50mph particularly more northern areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions on exposed terrain, widely difficult at times; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent heavy snow, hail; isolated lightning
Succession of heavy snow and hail showers coming in from north, giving near-constant snow northern mountains and frequent down west coast to Skye; risk isolated lightning. Drier near Great Glen. Snow lying to lower slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Cloud base constantly changing, but often shrouding north-facing mountains above 600-800m, some lower shafts of cloud in showers. Brief breaks higher up mostly Kintail to Great Glen.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly inland. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C (to -7C on higher summits). Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen from glens upward, occasionally freezing level lifting up to 400m near coast and on islands.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 20th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 18th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 25 to 35mph, squally gusts in showers, over 40mph at first; speeds tending to ease during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking and balance affected on higher exposed terrain, significant wind chill; improving a little during day.
How Wet?
Heavy snow, hail, easing with time
Ongoing succession of heavy snow and hail showers coming in from north; chance isolated lightning. Intensity and frequency of showers tending to ease during day. Snow lying to many lower slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some breaks form
Cloud base continues to vary, but often shrouding north-facing mountains above 600-800m, some lower shafts of cloud in showers. Cloud tending to become more broken. Staying clearest toward Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 50% Kintail/Great Glen.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly inland. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good, more often excellent afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -15C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen from glens upward, partial thawing only lowest sunlit slopes, up to 500m coastal slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 21st November 2025
Last updated
Tue 18th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West then southwesterly, strengthening possibly rapidly - some uncertainty of timing - to 40-50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect conditions to deteriorate perhaps quickly in the morning, to give difficult walking and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow becoming rain from west
Snow likely to push inland across western mountains, becoming persistent. Increasingly rain to higher elevations in west coastal areas, may set in heavy. Turning to rain higher up inland later.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy, then more extensive
Prior to snow/rain, just patchy cloud on various slopes, some clearer areas. With time, cloud lowering and filling in across the hills, soonest toward Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% dropping to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any weak early sun soon obscured by thickening high cloud, becoming overcast. Visibility may start excellent, but reducing to poor in rain, very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, rising from west to +1C, or slightly higher near coast later. In stronger wind feeling like -15C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen inland to lower slopes, but a gradual rise of freezing level toward 800m, or higher later; most rapid west coast.
Planning Outlook
Prepare for winter conditions - snow covering many mountains to lower slopes in Scotland, snow and ice cover varied for England & Wales, but much terrain frozen; hard frosts into inland valleys and glens the next couple of nights. Continuing strong northerlies into Thursday, showery snow and hail gradually fading from northwest Scotland. A front moving into Scotland from the west on Friday brings gales and snow, turning to rain lower down - in England & Wales more likely develops Friday evening-night. Less cold into the weekend, but higher mountains stay near or just below freezing, particularly Scotland; showers or locally more frequent upland snow over several days forward.