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.)
Wednesday'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.
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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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.
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 3rd December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely breezy, strongest northern England and Scotland, early gales over high Munros; easing but staying blustery northwest Scotland. Showery rain onto west coast slopes down to Wales (snow on high terrain) most of the day, some reaching further east afternoon. Greatest chance of dry weather south Pennines.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Blustery; west coast gales and snow showers
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30-35mph inland, 40-50mph near the coast, strongest over Skye. Trending southwesterly and easing, largely 25-30mph inland, remaining up to 40mph over Skye and nearby high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure; balance and stability affected all day along the west coast, particularly Skye where bracing may be required for stability. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
West coastal rain/snow showers, few inland
Frequent showery rain most of the day onto Skye. Patches increasingly drift northward along the coast; snow above 800m, 700m inland. Some patches inland as well, mostly south, a few drift north.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly shrouded south, then high terrain north
Fairly extensive over high terrain of the Skye and inland southern areas with lower banks in rain, locally down to 600m or lower. Well-broken in the north at first though banks increasingly drifting above 1000m afternoon, most frequent near the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%; 60% early in the north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny bursts in the north and east in the morning, cloud gradually builds for only glimpses afternoon. Visibility excellent away from showers but very poor where in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C; locally nearer 0C inland south, 2C coastal northwest. Feeling like -13C in direct strongest wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, slightly higher in the far north.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 4th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Detail uncertain: southeasterly 25-40mph; a risk of shifting southwesterly with stronger winds Skye later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Beware of quickly changing conditions - winds often uncomfortable in exposure, though may become arduous.
How Wet?
Patchy rain/snow south, sometimes north
Patchy rain on southern slopes most of the day, falling as snow above 800m. Some odd patches push further north at times, though many inland northern areas often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, mostly high terrain; breaks north
High tops south of Ullapool often in cloud with bases to 900-1000m, lower banks forming in precipitation; variable and a chance of breaks. Cloud banks at various heights near the east coast as well. Clearest northwest. Clearest tops in Sutherland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south to 50% northwest
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast, brighter north with some sunny glimpses around Ben Hope. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, warmest in the northwest.
Freezing Level
Mostly just highest tops, though may lower towards 1000m over Kintail for at time.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 5th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25-35mph, strongest Skye. Rising to 40mph afternoon, and further into night towards 50mph+.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking affected from dawn, deteriorating to difficult conditions into and overnight. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Early patchy snow, late rain; most south
Patchy morning sleet/snow on Skye and nearby, some patches drifting north but trending dry for several hours. Rain (snow on high terrain) then arrives from the south late afternoon with patches more widely overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south and eastern hills, variable
Fairly extensive on south and eastern hills from 700m up, lower in the south early in patchy snow. A brief lifting and breaking trend, notably near the west coast where breaks may reach some summits, but lowering again afternoon into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, 50% west coast for a few hours
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some morning sun in the north, becoming widely overcast. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C, little change with height. Will rise in the late overnight hours. Feeling like -15C in strong wind.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined, 600-800m though frosts at lower elevations, including in glens. Rising overnight.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure circulating to the west and north will dominate the weather for the next 7 to 10 days, bringing generally unsettled weather. A brief period of slack pressure on Thursday into Friday will ease winds for a time though patchy rain will linger in several areas. Strong southwesterly winds return over the weekend bringing cloud and rain to many mountains, most persistent on southwestern slopes. Temperatures and freezing level will vary, but staying chilly with highest terrain likely near or below 0C. Several low pressure systems with then pass through next week, brining frequent periods of cloud, rain, and strong wind, likely gale force on high terrain at times. Occasional windows of dry, brighter weather will occur, best chance east.