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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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
Saturday 27th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 26th Dec 25 at
4:22PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly easterly winds, strongest and gustiest Wales, with extensive cloud sheet eastern and into central areas, with some patchy light precipitation. Sun best western hills, and also where tops breaks above an inversion around 1000m. Terrain partly frozen, morning frost valleys; but up to plus 5C western tops above inversion.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Chilly east wind. Cloud banks in north and east, may break. Sunniest in west.
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?
Fairly extensive morning, then breaking, tops above cloud.
Cloud banks of low cloud mostly between 500 and 1000m, most extensive areas from Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis in morning, patchier westward toward Skye; may break up more widely in to afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% morning, lifting to 60%, up 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, but up to 5C upper slopes on and near Skye 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
Fri 26th Dec 25 at
4:22PM
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 29th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 26th Dec 25 at
4:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeast 15 to 25mph, may be calm over tops early in day above inversion, before wind picks up as inversion breaks down.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but considerable wind chill where exposed to the wind.
How Wet?
A little patchy precipitation from cloud
Mostly dry, but scope for a little patchy spots of light rain or snow grains from the banks of low cloud.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud banks, tops initially clear above.
Cloud banks from 500-1000m, highest tops may be clear for a time, before banks lift onto all higher terrain above 700m. Clearer Skye/Wester Ross.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% on and near Skye. 30% elsewhere.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloudiest in north and east, clearer with sunshine in southwest. Visibility mostly very good, away from any precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C
Freezing Level
Morning frost in glens/corries and initially tops above inversion, plus 2C, but turning colder on tops as freezing level stabilises around 700-900m during afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Next week, high pressure still dominates, but generally colder air becoming entrained into its circulation from the north, which sees lower temperatures on high terrain, sub-zero over most mountains through New Year. Small amounts of precipitation, occasional showers or snow flurries, winds north or northwesterly.