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.)
Friday'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.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
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.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
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
Friday 26th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 25th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Generally dry, apart from chance of odd light showers eastern Scotland. Sunshine over most Scottish mountains - the tops warmer than glens above an inversion; patchy low-level fog or cloud banks some slopes. Easterly winds remain strong and gusty England and Wales, feeling bitterly cold in exposure despite plenty of sun.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Light wind, sunshine, some patchy cloud, tops largely clear.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 5 to 10mph or less. Toward and beyond dusk tending to increase northeasterly 15-20mph, nearer 25mph onward into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small during day.
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Most tops clear, locally above fog or cloud near northwest coast
Patchy fog mainly glens or lower slopes, the mountains generally clear. Some cloud banks may drift higher onto coastal slopes mostly areas north of Torridon above 500-700m, higher tops likely above this cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% (higher tops above cloud locally)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny inland and near Skye, some cloud coastal areas. 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; highest summits up to 4C.
Freezing Level
Frost in many inland glens, all day out of sunlight; terrain at least partly frozen higher up, but air temperature above freezing on higher tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 27th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 25th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to northeasterly 20 to 25mph, but local stronger gusts around some slopes, not just highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in places, may start to feel noticeable and giving a distinct chill.
How Wet?
Rare light precipitation
Largely dry; a few brief spots of light rain, or snow grains on some slopes, mainly in the morning; unlikely toward Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering some slopes, less in west
Banks of cloud mostly between 700 and 1000m, mainly areas from Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis, patchier westward toward Skye; may break up more widely.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, to 70% Skye & Wester Ross
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, most common toward coast near Skye. Visibility excellent away from cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to 2C, coolest in far north; slightly warmer on higher tops above an inversion. Feeling like -5 to -8C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Varied partly frozen terrain, including frost inland glens, but above freezing on most west coastal slopes and some tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 28th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 25th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northeasterly or variable, 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Fog patches some glens. Possible thin cloud banks drifting onto coastal slopes in north and west around 600-700m, high tops likely remain clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, partly cloudy coastal areas. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, inversion conditions - hills warmer than lower slopes all day - up to 5C highest summits.
Freezing Level
Frost in glens and lower slopes, also in some upland hollows and corries, all day out of sunlight; above freezing on tops.
Planning Outlook
Dry weather continues into the weekend as a strong area of high pressure resides near or north of Scotland. Inversion conditions Scottish mountains, high tops generally above freezing and above most patchy cloud, some frost and fog in glens. Gusty east-northeasterly wind increasing for Scotland by Saturday, easing again for Sunday. Strong and gusty winds prevail for England and Wales, often cloudy, a little light rain occasionally Pennines; some sun toward west.