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.)
Sunday'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.
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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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.
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
Sunday 5th April 2026
Last updated
Sat 4th Apr 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Notably cold for Easter Sunday, sub-zero across Scottish mountains and high tops in England & Wales, severe chill factor where exposed to gale-force westerly winds over hills. Heavy, squally showers with hail, also snow falling at times to lower elevations; chance of isolated thunder.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Mountain gales, bitterly cold; heavy showery hail and snow.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Stormy conditions overnight lessen before dawn, then westerly 40 to 55mph, squally gusts, strongest toward northern tops; briefly less in morning, tending to increase a little during afternoon, later risk 60mph in north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting, walking challenging on higher exposed terrain, sudden powerful gusts making any mobility difficult. Beware possible storm damage from overnight around forests. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow; risk lightning
Fresh lying snow to many lower hill slopes. A succession of heavy hail and snow showers, more constant precipitation at times over western areas; snow falling to lower elevations early in day at least. Isolated thunder & lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying over tops
Cloud base constantly changing, often capping higher slopes above 800m in western areas; patches to 600m or lower at times, whilst briefly clearing higher up.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun and very good visibility, but suddenly appalling in cloud and snow or hail, temporary whiteout.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 to -4C. Feeling like -15 to -18C in the wind.
Freezing Level
400 to 600m in morning, rising to 600-700m afternoon, but lowering briefly again around showers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 6th April 2026
Last updated
Sat 4th Apr 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest then southerly, 25 to 40mph, strongest on Skye, locally lower speeds Sutherland in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance on western ridges, smaller eastern areas; notably gusty some downslopes to north.
How Wet?
Light rain or drizzle mostly Skye
A little patchy rain or drizzle mostly Skye and nearby mainland - possibly becoming more generally damp in cloud on Cuillin. Very little if any rain elsewhere.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly around Skye, little north/east
Patchy cloud banks over west coastal hills, most persistent on Skye where risk filling in to lower elevations for periods, especially on south Cuillin. Many tops toward the north and east of the region often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Skye, to 80% north/east areas.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun mostly weak through high cloud, very good visibility inland, north and east. Thicker overcast skies likely around Skye where hazier, risk often poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C from dawn, rising to +2C locally +4C afternoon. Feeling like -8 to -12C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Frost in glens in morning, much mountain terrain frozen all day, but air temperature rising above freezing to tops by late in day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 7th April 2026
Last updated
Sat 4th Apr 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30 to 50mph, locally very variable, typically strongest Skye, powerful gusts on some downslopes to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions particularly over the Cuillin; variable but sudden buffeting gusts also in places elsewhere.
How Wet?
Risk rain later west
Chance of patchy rain pushing onto west coastal areas during day, mostly spots from high cloud, possibly an odd burst of rain forming mainly later in the day. By evening onward, risk of rain setting in from west.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any much of day
Patchy mist some glens at first. The mountains generally clear much of the day, but later some cloud banks may form on and near Skye, risk filling in further by evening onward into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun best early in day, becoming fairly weak through high-level cloud, tending to thicken to cover the sky. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 10C. Directly in the stronger wind, feeling below freezing, in places nearer to -5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Possible slight frost some sheltered inland glens at dawn.
Planning Outlook
A cold frosty start to Monday, but milder southerly air arrives - dry and many hills clear with hazy sun, but gusty wind, risk of local gales west coastal mountains of Scotland. Quite warm by Tuesday, but strong to gale force southerly winds more widely; dry for many, rain encroaching into western Scotland, thawing of recent snow. Staying warm on Wednesday for many, but likely becoming cooler later in the week. Scotland likely remains changeable, often windy later in the week, rain at times, varying temperatures, at times below freezing on higher Munros. England and Wales sees occasional rain or showers late week, but some drier days and lighter winds.