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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 24th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 23rd Dec 25 at
3:44PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy cloud on middle and high slopes of central and east Scottish Highlands, clearer west and north; high summits clear too. Most cloud in England stays east of the Pennines, little west including Lakeland where isolated to summits. Gusty wind in Wales, risk gales south; early cloud in the east will break.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Patchy cloud middle slopes, most Skye; light wind
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeasterly, trending southeasterly with time though often variable, 10mph and often less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Substantially dry
Some spots of nuisance drizzle where in cloud, notably at and before dawn. Many hills entirely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches on middle slopes, higher Skye
Patchy cloud on middle slopes will variably come and go for most areas, risk more extensive near the west coast at times and to the upper elevations of Skye. Locally foggy in the glens as well, sometimes a relatively thick layer. Well-inland tops may be above the cloud layer.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, more extensive on highest summits, particularly inland, though some high cloud around. Very good visibility, particularly on highest tops above cloud; a slight haze lower eastern slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C at dawn, lowering slightly around Skye and Kintail but some variability.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 25th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 23rd Dec 25 at
3:44PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 10-15mph, some gustiness.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small though gusty at all elevations
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Some fog in glens but otherwise clear
Dawn fog in many glens, will linger well into the day where sheltered. Fog may reach upslope north of Ben Wyvis early in the day, though this fading.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% (tops above cloud layer)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine above low fog. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 6C, mildest near Ben Hope; little change or slight rise in temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, though some frosts in the glens at dawn, which may linger where shaded from sun.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 26th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 23rd Dec 25 at
3:44PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 5 to 10mph or less. Toward and beyond dusk tending to increase northeasterly 15-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Most hills clear, locally above fog
Patchy fog mainly glens or lower slopes, the mountains generally clear. Some cloud banks may drift higher onto north coastal slopes above 500-700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sunshine and excellent visibility. Misty in places lower down.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, small variation with height inland, some corries and glens stay colder.
Freezing Level
Frost in many inland glens, terrain at least partly frozen higher up, but air temperature just above freezing on high tops.
Planning Outlook
Christmas Day will be dry: easterly winds are dominant, strongest in England and Wales and most cloud east of the high tops: may be fairly sheet-like sometimes, though variably more extensive or broken, best of sun breaks in western areas. Turning cooler too, the coldest air in England and Wales with freezing levels reaching as low as 300-600m in east Wales, though poorly defined. High pressure stays put to the north into the weekend, maintaining dry weather, easterly winds, and mixed cloud and sunshine, most of the cloud in eastern areas. Temperatures will be variable, becoming milder for a time in England and Wales, with poorly defined freezing levels.