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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Monday 8th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 7th Dec 25 at
4:24PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southwesterly winds often gale force over most higher terrain of Britain, less strong toward the north of the Highlands. Close to freezing only on higher Scottish tops. Rain frequent over western Scotland, some patchy rain passing eastwards. Showery rain common on some western hills in England and Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, up to gale force on tops. Rain frequent Skye.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 25 to 35mph, a rising trend but fluctuating, at times reaching 40mph over higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequently strenuous walking in exposure, balance challenging for periods over tops and ridges. Some variation and local brief improvements. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain most frequent west
Showery rain most common Skye, some heavy with possible hail. Occasional showers extend northward near west coast. Some sleet highest tops. Early showers inland/near Ben Wyvis, but these tending to clear.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent western tops
Frequently capping the Cuillin and many west coastal tops on the mainland, bases varying 600 to 900m. Cloud more broken north/east, at times clearing tops though will fill in for periods too as rain passes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly east and far north. Visibility very good where dry, but reduced in rain at times west, briefly poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. If exposed to stronger winds, feeling close to -10C on high tops.
Freezing Level
At or just above highest summits (1100-1200m+), rising further into night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 9th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 7th Dec 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25-35mph at dawn, rapidly rising to a gusty 50-65mph; turning SW'ly, rising further, risk 80mph coastal tops late.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions soon set in - mobility becoming torturous, risk severe conditions into night. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Near-constant rain sets in, flood risk
Rain arrives in the south as dawn breaks and rapidly spreads widely, setting in persistent and heavy for several hours, beginning to break from the south into evening. Beware fast-rising streams and flood risk.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming extensive
From dawn, shrouding high ground from Skye towards Ben Wyvis, some eastern Munros further north as well. Northwest coast perhaps clear tops just after dawn. Deteriorating widely, from lower or middle slopes upward, though bases always highest west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Lowering to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Soon widely overcast and dull. Poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, rising to 6 to 8C for several hours, then lower again later. Feeling like -8 to -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, may lower to just tough the highest Munro summits overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 7th Dec 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 55 to 70mph, risk 80mph for periods over higher mountains, with stronger gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions from modest elevations upward, severe over higher mountains; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery with hail
Frequent showery precipitation, merging to be near-constant at times in the west, falling as sleet on the Munros, possible snow highest tops, also hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering high tops
Cloud base constantly changing, but often shrouding higher slopes, at times down to 600m in west, brief breaks to tops inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun mainly eastern areas. Hazy particularly in west, visibility poorer in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Wind chill feeling near to -15C.
Freezing Level
Near or just above highest summits (1100m+).
Planning Outlook
A very unsettled spell through the next 10 days as southwesterly winds prevail and low pressure systems move in from the Atlantic. Stormy conditions widely over the mountains on Tuesday, gales remaining severe on high terrain into Wednesday, then potentially intensifying again on Thursday. Temperatures only close to freezing on higher Scottish tops this week, even here will experience spells above freezing with thawing, leaving snow increasingly patchy, but beware some icy surfaces on the very highest tops where some refreezing occurs. Rainfall will be frequent and heavy, sometimes showery with hail. Expect wet ground conditions and further flooding of streams and some rivers.