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.)
Saturday'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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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 20th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 19th Dec 25 at
7:02PM
Summary for all mountain areas
South to south-easterly winds, reaching gale force for western hills, local drizzly showers southwestern Scotland as well as Wales, with rain into Pembrokeshire later. Elsewhere, areas of weak sun and low cloud. Low cloud focused on eastern side of Pennines and also southern and eastern Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, gales up west coast. Mostly dry, with hills often clear.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-easterly 25 to 40mph, but on and near Skye 45 to 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous, or near west coast and Isles difficult, with a very turbulent airflow. Significant wind chill and buffeting.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Most or all areas dry. Scope for isolated showers in the south and across Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly hills in the south. Otherwise clear.
Occasional patches on upper slopes, mainly on southern hills and also over towards Ben Wyvis. Otherwise hills mostly clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%, but 60% in the south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun possible as cloud layers thin at times. Visibility good or very good. General haze west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 4C, highest northern hills, small rate of change in temperature with height. Directly in the wind feeling like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
Confined to highest tops or above. Some icy snow coverage over higher tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 21st December 2025
Last updated
Fri 19th Dec 25 at
7:02PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly backing easterly 20 to 30mph, perhaps lifting to 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, turbulent airflow with significant wind chill. Sudden gusts running downslope and reversals in direction.
How Wet?
Many areas may well be dry
The legacy of a front may give patchy rain and snow tops, on and near Skye. Whilst a few showers may well feed in to Easter Ross and Caithness. Dry otherwise.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, best breaks west coast
Be prepared for fairly extensive cloud on the hills, most widespread Ben Wyvis up to Ben Hope, and perhaps Skye too. Higher bases and best breaks west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun perhaps toward west coast. Otherwise cloudy. Visibility good, but poor in any rain or snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 1C, small change in temperature with height. Feeling closer to -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1000m
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 22nd December 2025
Last updated
Fri 19th Dec 25 at
7:02PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 35 to 45mph, easing to 20 to 30mph in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions for several hours, sudden and strong wind gusts running downslope. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Early rain, then patches here and there.
A warm front will bring widespread rain and drizzle for a time in the morning before clearing west. Then drier, but still with patches of rain here and there.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, but breaks west coast.
Fairly extensive banks at varying heights in rain. As rain clears, very disorganised cloud banks, some hills in fog, whilst others clear, with best breaks west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, but 60% toward west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mainly overcast. Poor visibility in the rain morning, but improving.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, but feeling closer to -10C where exposed to the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A much drier and chiller theme develops into the Christmas period and perhaps into the New Year, as high pressure builds to the north and northeast and maybe later in the period overhead over Scotland when inversion conditions would be in place. An extensive cloud sheet will likely come in from the North Sea over many days with light snow showers or flurries likely, rain to lower slopes, but many areas dry. Best breaks in the west.