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.)
Sunday'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.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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.
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.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showery southwesterlies, extensively gale force over higher terrain with significant chill factor. Rain and hail, snow falling above 900m in Scotland, most frequent west coastal areas. Fewer showers eastward across Scotland and for England & Wales, with some cloud breaks toward tops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland gales. Showery in west, hail, snow on tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 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. Into night, prolonged heavy precipitation Skye and nearby mainland.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 23rd February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 50mph from dawn, easing to 30mph or less by late afternoon. Increasing again during evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking on high terrain in the morning, improving during daytime. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy showers in morning fading
Frequent showery precipitation over western areas from before dawn into morning, heavy with hail, snow above 900m. Fading with time to lighter showers, more often dry north/east afternoon. Then heavy rain into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops, some breaks form
Cloud base varying early in day, often covering higher slopes, patches to 600-700m in west. Tending to lift and break toward upper slopes, but may often cap west coast tops near Skye all day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, mostly eastern areas in the afternoon. Hazy, poor around showers, but visibility improving afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, then rising slightly into night. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m marginal rise during day, then lifting above the summits into night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45 to 60mph, gusts 70mph higher mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mobility difficult over exposed higher terrain, frequent buffeting at mid-heights. Significant wind chill despite milder air.
How Wet?
Rain heaviest around Skye
Persistent light rain and drizzle, becoming constant heavier rain Skye and up to Torridon. Drier toward Easter Ross. Very wet underfoot western areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest Skye
Shrouding the mountains widely, from lower slopes up around Skye, 600-800m inland and north, highest breaks eastward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy, murky toward west, poor visibility Skye and nearby coast. Better visibility eastward, but hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. In exposure to wind, feeling like -9 to -12C.
Freezing Level
Above all summits with thawing to upper slopes.
Planning Outlook
West to southwesterly winds prevail during the week ahead as areas of low pressure move toward northwest Scotland whilst ridges of higher pressure occasionally nudge across southern Britain. Sustained gales over the mountains, only brief lulls. Temperatures will fluctuate above and below freezing on higher Scottish mountains, with periods of thaw and refreezing. England and Wales generally above freezing to tops with a substantial thaw of most upland snow. Frequent rainfall, often heavy over western mountains, at times showery with hail, some snow on Scottish Munros. The final days of February favour colder northwesterly air and a drop of freezing level.