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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 2nd January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
8:10AM
Summary for all mountain areas
Bitterly cold north-northwesterly winds, gale-force over many hills, typically strongest in morning, again late in day Scotland. Frequent snow and hail northern Scotland, blizzard conditions on mountains. Showers also affect Wales. Mostly dry, sunny and clear hills N England & S Scotland. Most terrain frozen.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, squally, severe chill factor. Snow and hail to lower slopes.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 30 to 40mph, squally gusts in showers. Up to 50mph around dawn mainly Skye and Kintail areas. Increasing again into the evening toward 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill over the mountains. Frequent buffeting in exposure on higher terrain, gusts knocking you off balance. The most challenging conditions at first, but deteriorating again after sunset.
How Wet?
Near-constant snow and hail
A succession of heavy showers coming in from the north, snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level. Some prolonged heavy falls especially northern areas. Frequent whiteout over the mountains. Risk of isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Often shrouding tops
Cloud base constantly changing, often capping hills above 800-900m, shafts of cloud to 600m in showers. Brief breaks to upper slopes mostly toward Great Glen.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare brief bursts of sun. Visibility often appalling due to snow falling or blowing and where also in cloud; but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C on tops.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, sub-zero all day glens upward. Just above freezing up to 200-300m on slopes nearest to the coast. Icy surfaces and fresh snow cover.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
8:10AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph, squally gusts in showers, over 50mph on some higher areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued severe wind chill over the mountains. Frequent buffeting on exposed terrain, walking often challenging.
How Wet?
Near-constant snow and hail
An ongoing stream of heavy showers coming in from the north, snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level. Frequent whiteout on the tops. Risk isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Often shrouding tops
Cloud base constantly changing, often capping hills above 800-900m, shafts of cloud to 600m in showers. Brief breaks to upper slopes mostly toward Great Glen.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, more frequent Kintail. Visibility often appalling due to snow falling or blowing and where also in cloud; but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C. Wind chill feeling like -20C in exposure on tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 300-400m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
8:10AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 35 to 40mph, squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued severe wind chill over the mountains. Arduous walking with frequent buffeting on exposed terrain.
How Wet?
Near-constant snow and hail
An ongoing stream of heavy snow showers coming in from the north, falling and accumulating to sea level. Some hail near coasts with risk isolated thunder. Frequent whiteout on the tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Most tops shrouded, variably lowering
Cloud base constantly changing, often capping hills above 800-900m, shafts of cloud to 600m in showers. Brief breaks to upper slopes mostly toward Great Glen/Ben Wyvis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, more frequent Kintail. Visibility often appalling due to snow falling or blowing and where also in cloud; but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C (to -8C above 1200m); may be a degree higher Skye. Wind chill feeling like -20C in exposure on tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 200-300m.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen this weekend and early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and some valleys inland in northern England. Substantial fresh snow accumulations in the North West Highlands and Cairngorms, heavy showers streaming in from the north also containing hail. Largely dry and sunny from central Scotland to northern England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops, lessening somewhat during Sunday. Some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, though most high terrain stays sub-zero, and as fronts come in from the west, upland snowfalls are possible more widely.