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.)
Friday'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.
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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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.
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
Friday 16th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Dry for much of the Highlands, many northern mountains clear, in places above patchy valley fog, some weak sun through high-level cloud above the mountains. Breezy toward the west, some showers southwest coasts of Scotland, also S/W Wales. Areas of low cloud over Pennines and S Lakes may linger.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Breeziest near Skye. Many hills clear, patchy cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable or southeasterly, 10-15mph or less, particularly in north. Often 20mph on and nearest to Skye, local stronger gusts may occur.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but feeling chilly in exposure over higher Cuillin.
How Wet?
Mostly dry, bar coastal showers later.
Largely dry. Later afternoon, possible showers moving in from south around Skye, snow flurries above 500-600m.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills above patchy valley fog; some cloud may move onto Cuillin.
Ribbons of fog through some of the glens, may last much of day. Many hills free of cloud, though some patches may drift around, greater risk through afternoon Skye to Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% dropping to 40% Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sunshine, best in the north and east. Visibility very good, away from any fog or showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Feeling like -8C if exposed to breeze on Skye.
Freezing Level
700-800m, but frost into the glens at first light.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 17th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 10 to 20mph, in places 25mph through some cols, passes and summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but wind chill still significant where exposed to the strongest breeze.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Banks or patches of cloud at varying heights from mid to upper slopes, with ribbons of fog some glens. Clearest conditions west coast and far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying banks, fog patches some glens
Banks or patches of cloud at varying heights from mid to upper slopes, with ribbons of fog some glens. Clearest conditions west coast and far north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%, but 70% far north and west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun toward west coast and far north. Otherwise dull. Visibility good or very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C to +2C; highest Ben Hope to west coast. Feeling closer to -8C in the strongest breeze.
Freezing Level
Varied across the area, 600-1100m, highest toward west coast/Ben Hope. Patchy frost into some glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 18th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly, 25 to 35mph, suddenly gusty on some downslopes to the north of higher mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance on tops. Varied lower down, but in places very blustery. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Little if any precipitation
Chance of local snow grains or brief flurries mainly around Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but some tops clear
Some fog banks glens and lower slopes, fragments of cloud around some upper slopes, but many western tops may be often clear. Greater risk of low cloud banks up to higher slopes on Skye, lowest south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, but 30% Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best in north coastal areas where visibility very good. Hazy or misty toward south Cuillin.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C inland, up to +1C some west and northwest coastal areas. Feeling like -10 to -13C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Inland near or just below freezing from many glens upward, but near W/NW coast typically above freezing up to 900-1000m.
Planning Outlook
Often dry and chilly conditions into the weekend with a south to south-easterly airflow developing, gusty wind in places. General patterns into the second half of January favour a colder continental influence. The snow pack across the Scottish Highlands will be enhanced by further spells of snowfall where where fronts edge in from the west, whilst for England and Wales snow accumulating on the hills at times, perhaps in the form of showers from the east.