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.)
Monday'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 hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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
Monday 24th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 23rd Nov 25 at
1:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Turning cold from north and extensively windy behind an area of low pressure centred over SE England. Snow and hail showers will affect N & E Scotland, whilst further south patchy rain (sleet highest summits), but total rainfall small.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Snow and hail showers, especially north; windy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly, between 25 and 30mph; least windy later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Will impede ease of walking across the hills, and near precipitation in gusty conditions, balance may be tricky.
How Wet?
Frequent snow/hail showers; but often dry mainland south from Torridon
Succession of hail and above 400m snow showers Sutherland and perhaps western summits in Wester Ross. Elsewhere, occasional showers, but few on mainland south from Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensively covering higher areas; highest cloud base south from Torridon
Cloud base varying as showers come and go: typically 600m, but shafts of cloud below 400m near precipitation, especially far north. Higher cloud base mainland south from Torridon, here breaks to 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, particularly south of Torridon. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, but otherwise, very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C; dropping marginally through the day. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900m dropping from north toward 700m. Frost some valleys after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 23rd Nov 25 at
1:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly gradually backing west or southwesterly. A prolonged lull of 10-15mph, but perhaps 25mph by dusk near coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Little or no precipitation
A few brief showers, of hail or snow above about 400m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied; some higher tops clearing, others remaining in cloud.
Generally, cloud base 700 to 900m. Cloud will lift off some higher summits, whilst 'hanging' on some slopes and in corries all day. Cloud may begin to shroud west coastal slopes at 300-450m by dusk.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine. The air very clear so excellent visibility, but fog some valleys and frequently on higher slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
Around 750m, rising slowly through day. Some frozen ground lower slopes after frost in valleys.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 23rd Nov 25 at
1:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40 to 55mph morning. Will veer west and ease, perhaps to or below 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some easing through day, but extensively difficult walking where exposed with powerful gusts and considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle on and off
Rain and drizzle (snow above 800m temporarily morning). The rain rarely ceasing western mountains south from Wester Ross, but on and off elsewhere.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive western mountains, tending to lower elsewhere
Many higher slopes initially cloud free. Will deteriorate, on western mountains south from Wester Ross, cloud forming from lower slopes up. Elsewhere, slowly filling in across higher slopes, typically 500 to 800m afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Dropping to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine; becoming extensively dull and misty as visibility drops in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 2C. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800m at first; rising abruptly above the summits, in most areas during morning.
Planning Outlook
As a series of deep Atlantic lows pass north of or across Britain, rainfall be become high particularly on western mountains together with frequent upland gales and low cloud. In Scotland, temperatures on the Munros will sometimes be below freezing point, but fresh snow transient, whereas elsewhere, snow rare, if any.