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.)
Today'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.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 27th March 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Mar 25 at
2:33PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread upland severe gales and rain across Scotland - although breaks in the rain some eastern and far northern areas (sometimes snow higher tops far north). South into England and Wales, less windy, particularly morning and away from hills open to the sea to the southwest, very little if any rain.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland severe gales. Rain setting in increasingly widely.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45 to 55mph, particularly afternoon when 60mph near Skye and higher mountains elsewhere.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, balance often affected on higher terrain, frequent considerable buffeting. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day, sleet tops at times
Morning: A lull following overnight rain, although near Skye may well continue at least intermittently. Afternoon: Increasingly wet; often heavy near Skye, less so elsewhere. Mainly far north, precipitation intermittently snow above 900-1050m.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive
Near Skye - as far inland as Kintail: Persistent fog, rare breaks above 500m. Elsewhere: cloud base often 600 to 900m, but tending to lower as rain sets in afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil near Skye; 40% later 20% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any weak patchy sun giving way to thickening cloud. Visibility persistently poor near Skye and in rain elsewhere; otherwise hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C at times mainly Sutherland; otherwise 2C. Feeling like -15C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
900m at times, mainly Sutherland; otherwise 1100m or above.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 28th March 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Mar 25 at
2:33PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 45mph, squally near showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill. Frequent buffeting, especially near precipitation where walking often difficult.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow, risk lightning
Hail and snow showers all day, isolated thunder. May in Sutherland and later Wester Ross deteriorate afternoon as snow becomes constant for a couple of hours. Precipitation mostly rain below 500m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud base; sometimes clearing to higher tops. Later widespread north.
Cloud base changing rapidly, but rarely clearing above 800m (650m near the coast) and patches below 450m near precipitation. Risk fog filing in above 400m in the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mainly well inland. Hazy and visibility very poor or appalling in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 29th March 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Mar 25 at
2:33PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Increasingly windy after a morning lull - westerly around 25mph. Into afternoon southwest 40 to perhaps near Skye 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Anticipate walking becoming very difficult and wind chill severe, particularly near Skye into afternoon.
How Wet?
Increasingly wet
Most or all morning: Risk of a few showers. Middle of day onwards: Increasingly wet, particularly near Skye where rain rarely ceasing. Expect snow above 700 to later 1000m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; especially near Skye.
Breaks to 800 to 1000m particularly well inland by late morning. Then deteriorating as near Skye cloud fills in across the hills whilst elsewhere initially most cloud above 750m - but especially near coast here too eventually forming on lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Excellent visibility before becoming poor in precipitation, extensively so near Skye, and eventually near all western hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 1C. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m rising to 1050m.
Planning Outlook
Frequently windy with intermittent rain (or widely snow and hail showers on Friday) until early next week. Pressure is then likely to build markedly over and east of Britain, bringing the return of dry and sometimes warm and sunny weather for much of next week.