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.)
Saturday'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 and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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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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 and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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
Saturday 22nd November 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Nov 25 at
4:11PM
Summary for all mountain areas
As less cold air penetrates the UK, only higher summits in Scotland will remain below freezing point. Nevertheless, much mountains terrain will remain frozen and icy. Rain and strong winds overnight will have eased to in Scotland and through the morning will clear Wales and N England.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Showery; mountains extensively foggy. Terrain mostly frozen.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 25mph, often strongest northern tops. Will tend to ease through the afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly fairly small, although particularly in the morning still considerable wind chill where exposed.
How Wet?
Showery; fresh snow confined above 800m
Showers, sometimes frequent. Fresh snow and hail lying above 800 or 900m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive - although well inland a few higher slopes may clear
Very varied; overall the mountains persistently foggy in some areas from just above valleys. Nevertheless, particularly afternoon on more eastern summits, breaks to higher slopes - locally above fog lower down.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun mostly east. Visibility varied, areas of persistent fog, even on lower slopes, and poor in snow, but otherwise excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Feeling like -7C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1050m; but much terrain from valleys (particularly away from immediate west coast) largely frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 23rd November 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Nov 25 at
4:11PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly, speeds at present uncertain, but probably in the range 20 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect blustery conditions, perhaps considerable buffeting and wind chill over some mountains.
How Wet?
Occasional rain or hill snow
Small amounts of precipitation, particularly near Skye: Showers, or most likely on more eastern areas perhaps an hour or two of rain, or snow above 700-900m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; highest cloud base near Skye
Persistent fog most mountains, widely above 500 to 700m. Near the coast of Wester Ross and near Skye (west from Kintail to Knoydart), most cloud near or perhaps above 900m
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly near the west coast. Visibility very varied; areas of persistent fog, but out of cloud widely excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800 to 1050m; some lower areas still partly frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 24th November 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Nov 25 at
4:11PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly, between 20 and 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Will impede ease of walking across the hills, and near precipitation in gusty conditions, balance may be tricky.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail showers
Succession of hail and above 400m snow showers, particularly Sutherland and western summits in Wester Ross, where precipitation at times constant. Fewest showers on mainland south from Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensively covering higher areas; highest cloud base south from Torridon
Cloud base varying as showers come and go: typically 600m, but shafts of cloud below 400m near precipitation, especially far north. Higher cloud base mainland south from Torridon, here breaks to 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, particularly south of Torridon. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, but otherwise, very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m.
Planning Outlook
Another brief burst of cold air on Monday and Tuesday will bring further snow to northern Scotland. By Wednesday, milder air together with rain and strong wind will be extending across Britain. Rain and strong wind will be frequent, particularly on western mountains for the remainder of the week. In Scotland temperatures on the Munros will sometimes be below freezing point, but fresh snow probably transient, whereas elsewhere, snow rare if any.