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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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 15th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Feb 26 at
12:12PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Overnight snow (considerable western Scotland north to Skye) will have cleared, leaving snow (rain lower slopes) showers in Scotland (driest toward east), whilst further south rain and snow on and off. Most mountain terrain will be frozen although thawing lower slopes.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Terrain largely frozen. Frequent snow. Wind near gale morning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest to westerly, mostly 35mph morning. Will ease toward 25 through daylight - perhaps 20mph near Skye..
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and widely arduous walking on higher areas. Particularly difficult conditions near precipitation in morning.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Persistent snow before dawn. Then succession of sudden, sometimes heavy, hail and snow showers - in places precipitation rarely ceasing over an hour or two giving whiteout. Small risk lightning. Fewest showers will be on easternmost mountains in the afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistently covering the mountains;
Occasionally breaking to near or in afternoon above 900m at least fleetingly, but overall extensive cloud above 500 or 600m, and sometimes forming on lower slopes near precipitation.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional bursts of sunshine, mainly lower slopes near Ben Wyvis. Fleetingly excellent visibility, but abruptly appalling or near zero in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as close to minus 12C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
Nearly all terrain frozen, albeit freezing level soon between 700 and 800m, or on coastal summits sometimes 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 16th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Feb 26 at
12:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly; there may well be a lull to below 20mph at first, but strengthening, probably morning to 25 or 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill and walking impeded by the wind, perhaps arduous at times, particularly near precipitation.
How Wet?
Frequent snow
Heavy snow and hail showers, sometimes one after another, giving whiteout, and risk of the precipitation almost constant for a few hours. Chance isolated thunder. Least precipitation near Great Glen.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; highest cloud base toward Great Glen
Cloud base varying, sometimes quickly, between 350m near precipitation and otherwise 600 to 800m. Toward the Great Glen, cloud rarely below 500m and breaks toward 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine mainly toward Great Glen. Very varied visibility; intermittently appalling or near zero in snow, but otherwise excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C. Will feel around minus 16C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m, dropping toward 400m. Some valleys frozen after a frost.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Feb 26 at
12:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly high confidence in dropping to less than 15mph in a lull, but for a few hours from dawn 25, possibly 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Becoming negligible
How Wet?
Snow showers or flurries dying out
Snow and hail showers Sutherland and near the coast elsewhere will through morning become isolated.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming confined to higher areas and increasingly clearing
By afternoon patches above 750 to 900m, but increasingly mountains free of cloud. Earlier in day cloud may be extensive on higher slopes Sutherland and near the coast but patchy elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% by afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sunshine increasingly. Superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C
Freezing Level
300m but most terrain frozen: partial thawing lowest particularly sunlit slopes.
Planning Outlook
Persistently cold most mountain areas, particularly across Scotland next week. Further snow from time to time. England and particularly Wales will have intermittently higher freezing levels resulting in freeze-thaw cycles.