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
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.
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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing 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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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.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing 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
Sunday 11th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely very difficult mountain conditions in severe or storm force upland winds. From west, rapid snow melt commencing and extensive fog - giving whiteout in some areas. Underfoot areas of ice, in some areas on lower slopes.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Storm force wind; rain. Snow pack increasingly melting.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, in range 60mph with powerful gusts. Marginal temporary easing afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains; mobility widely challenging. Sometimes difficult to stand, in places sudden ferocious gusts reaching lower slopes, Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow soon turning to rain
Snow and freezing rain starts overnight. Through morning from west all turning to rain. Heavy or torrential rain near Skye. Increasingly wet underfoot - augmented by snow melt. Total rainfall small north of Torridon hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Incessant fog from lowest slopes on and near Skye, and from a few hundred metres up Torridon area. Elsewhere, cloud base in range 600 to in places 900m (mainly Sutherland and Ben Wyvis).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%; almost nil south of Torridon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare if any glimpses of sun. Hazy but visibility appalling or near zero at times western mountains south of Torridon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C but soon +1 to 3C, small variation of temperature with height. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Soon above summits, but much terrain frozen and widely icy despite increasing snow melt.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 12th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to 70mph, strongest morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mobility challenging, sometimes difficult to stand. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain much of day west, snow high tops
Frequent to constant precipitation most western mountains, often heavy Skye to Torridon; smaller amounts toward Ben Wyvis. Falling as snow above around 900-1000m. Very wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest west
Covering the hills most or all day above 800m, often 500-600m south Cuillin and nearby coastal hills up to Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. A general haze, particularly west; visibility very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Wind chill feeling around -15C where directly exposed on tops.
Freezing Level
1100m, chance of lowering further after dark.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 13th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in forecast: Most likely southwest or westerly 20 to 30mph, although there cold be a lull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly fairly small, although risk arduous walking conditions.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain; snow higher areas
Unlikely to be dry, particularly near the coast where showery rain, or above 650m snow, may well be on and off. Fewer showers, with increasing chance of dry during daylight progressively eastwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive
Higher areas probably cloud covered, but in rain, particularly near the coast, cloud base may drop below 400m for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility sometimes very good although in rain poor or in snow appalling.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C
Freezing Level
700 to perhaps 900m.
Planning Outlook
High rainfall and intermittently windy across most mountains areas next week as a series of Atlantic lows cross Britain. From Tuesday day to day confidence very low due to uncertainty in timing and tracking of lows. Over England and Wales, temperatures on higher summits will intermittently be below freezing point: snow may accumulate on highest summits. Freeze thaw cycles will occur on the Scottish Highlands, although above 900m periods of thaw may well be brief, with progressive enhancement of the snowpack likely.