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.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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
Tuesday 10th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 9th Feb 26 at
4:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy and significant chill factor for the Highlands - murky and snow falling over the hills most persistent in eastern Scotland, rain below 600m. Better toward northwest, some cloud breaks toward coast. In northern England, lessening wind, patchy rain fading, low cloud rising higher. Drier until later for Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strong, gusty wind. Patchy hill snow, cloud breaks west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30 to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly arduous with height: here and there sudden gusts reaching lower slopes northwest of major summits. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain and snow
Rain, drizzle or above about 600m snow, although toward the west coast, the precipitation infrequent and amounting to little.
Cloud on the hills?
Most mountains persistently foggy: base riisng and breaking west coast
Persistent fog, north from Ben Wyvis above 300 to 450m, although a little higher near west coast. Elsewhere inland and west, cloud base typically 600 to 900m, but toward the coast may break up at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil north/east, to 20% west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely dull and murky north from Ben Wyvis. Elsewhere, mostly cloudy but often very good visibility, particularly near west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, slightly higher on Skye. Will feel near -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800m east-northeast areas, higher westwards, more variable up to some higher slopes near west coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 9th Feb 26 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 30 to 45mph, powerful gusts in places toward the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous or difficult walking and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow - very little toward Skye
Frequent to constant snow much of region, although mostly rain below 200 to 500m - as colder air extends south through day. Very little, perhaps no precipitation western mountains south from about Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, but cloud base higher toward Skye
Most hills persistently cloud covered above 500 to 750m. Western mountains south from about Torridon will have higher cloud base, typically 800 to perhaps 1050m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%, but 40% near Skye
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun western hills; perhaps sunny periods developing toward Skye. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, locally very good near Skye/Torridon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -4C: tending to lower from north. Will feel as cold as -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Dropping from north to between 400 and 750m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 12th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 9th Feb 26 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-northeasterly 35-50mph, trending northeasterly with time, easing slightly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Greatest chance of challenging conditions and severe wind chill early, may improve but staying blustery.
How Wet?
Early snow south, then northern showers
Some early snow in southern and eastern areas. Becoming drier for a time, then patchy snow showers arrive onto northern Munros.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, often well-broken
Cloud mostly on high terrain from Kintail to Ben Hope and east, western hills often clear. With time, cloud becomes well-broken in the north, though some patches will increasingly drift down the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Frequent bursts of sunshine in the north and west, most often cloudy east but glimpses here too. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, dropping a degree in the far north; may start slightly warmer Skye. Feeling like -20 to -25C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, locally to glen level north/east; up to 500m Skye early, lowering with time.
Planning Outlook
Becoming colder for all areas during this week, with much mountain terrain frozen again to increasingly lower elevations - soonest toward the north and east of Scotland. East to northeasterly winds in the second half of the week, turning northerly toward the weekend - the distribution of snow showers shifting with time from eastern hills to more north-facing mountains, particularly Scotland. Away from showers later in the week, brighter than recently with sunshine and clearer hills.