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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread sub-zero temperatures and wind, gales in northern England and Scotland; wind chill approaching -20C or lower on high summits. Near-constant snow showers in northern Scotland with snowdrifts building; snow showers into central/west Scotland and west Wales too. Mostly sunny southern Scotland and England.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Near-constant snow and gales; snowdrifts with whiteouts
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph, squally gusts in showers, reaching over 50mph on some higher areas for periods, mostly east/north of Ullapool.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill over the mountains. Walking arduous, often challenging on exposed high terrain with frequent buffeting.
How Wet?
Near-constant snow, some hail too
An ongoing stream of heavy showers coming in from the north, snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level; a risk of isolated thunder near the coast. Frequent whiteout on the tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over high terrain
Cloud base constantly changing, often capping hills above 800-900m, shafts of cloud to 600m in showers, the lowest and most persistent bases in northwest Sutherland. Brief breaks to upper slopes mostly toward Great Glen and western Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, best chance Kintail to Ben Wyvis. Visibility often appalling due to snow falling or blowing and where also in cloud; but very good during local breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C, coldest inland. Wind chill feeling like -20C in exposure on tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Near the west coast, partial thawing in sunlight up to 300m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 30 to 40mph, squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued severe wind chill over the mountains. Arduous walking on snow cover with frequent buffeting in exposure.
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 (-8C in glens at dawn); may be a degree higher Skye. Wind chill feeling as cold as -22C in exposure on tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight, to 200m Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 5th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 25-30mph, shifting northwesterly afternoon, risk a brief period of stronger wind too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill, severe on high exposed tops where walking conditions will be strenuous with buffeting.
How Wet?
Very frequent snow showers
An ongoing stream of snow showers coming in from the north, snow to sea level; extensive snow cover on the ground with frequent whiteout conditions on high ground. Risk some hail into Sutherland.
Cloud on the hills?
Most tops shrouded, variably lowering
Variable cloud base, often capping hills above 800-900m, shafts of cloud to 600m in showers. Some brief breaks to upper slopes though these fleeting. Becoming more extensive from the north after nightfall.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy with frequently appalling visibility due to snow falling or blowing. Brief bursts of sun with very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C (-8C at dawn in the glens and high tops). Wind chill feeling like -20C in exposure on tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 200-300m, may rise a bit more here after dark.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen into early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and increasingly into valleys in England and Wales. Heavy showers streaming into northern and coastal Scotland, some containing hail, most terrain covered in snow with substantial snowdrifts in the Northwest Highlands and Cairngorms. Largely dry and sunny in southern Scotland and England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops at times. More variable next week: 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.