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
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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Hazy, some fog banks
.jpg "Hazy, some fog banks"){kind=icon}
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 13th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Under high pressure most mountain areas fine with sunshine. However, progressively north across Scotland, increasing strong westerly wind will bring snow showers to mainly the NW Highlands and low cloud across western mountains. Much terrain frozen - but freezing level rising through day.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Snow showers; much terrain frozen. Wind strengthening toward gale.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, progressively strengthening from in the range 20-30mph post dawn to 30-40mph before dusk - the strongest winds Sutherland and higher tops Wester Ross.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly challenging as wind chill becomes considerable and walking difficult on higher areas, particularly more northern mountains.
How Wet?
Snow showers; rain lower slopes
Snow showers from time to time although the risk on western mountains of the precipitation frequent for an hour or two. Apart from lower coastal slopes, snow at first, but by dusk rain below 500m well inland to 750m near the coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas: highest cloud base well inland
Low cloud extensive western mountains above 600m and above 750-900m more eastern areas. Near precipitation cloud base lowering toward 400m near the coast and 600m well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mostly eastern areas. Visibility often excellent, but increasingly hazy, especially far north and poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising gradually (initially near the coast) toward 1C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C where exposed.
Freezing Level
Near the coast, 600 rising to 1000m. Increasingly frozen lower terrain upwards eastwards where freezing level by afternoon around 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 14th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly between 35 and 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasing buffeting and wind chill becoming considerable with increasing height. Expect balance sometimes to be difficult.
How Wet?
Rain or higher up snow on and off
Areas of frequent showery rain - or above 450 later 750m snow, interspersed with dry areas will drift across region. Wettest near the coast, very little easternmost areas (e.g. Ben Wyvis).
Cloud on the hills?
Most mountains persistently foggy. Cloud base progressively higher eastwards.
Near the coast, cloud base typically 400 to 600m, whilst well inland 450 to 750m, and perhaps reaching 900m Ben Wyvis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine now and again, mainly lower slopes well inland. Persistently hazy, or foggy, particularly western mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as cold as minus 12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500 to 700m, tending to rise to 800 to 1100m. Highest freezing level near the coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 15th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Very low confidence near centres of low pressure: Varied direction, possible marked lull but anticipate up to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Sometimes small, but zones where wind chill severe and walking difficult - these challenging conditions could set in abruptly.
How Wet?
Periods of, or persistent snow.
A band of steady precipitation may persist most or all day; falling as snow to 200-500m. Particularly Ben Wyvis area may have considerable snowfall. The far north may have little precipitation.
Cloud on the hills?
Fog across the mountains all day
Fog in some areas from lower slopes up, though in Sutherland, although still patches from above forest canopies, most cloud may be above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Regions of appalling visibility. Possibly excellent far north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, possibly 2C near Great Glen
Freezing Level
500m, possibly above the summits near Great Glen - but possible abrupt change.
Planning Outlook
Pressure will fall over the weekend: a little rain for some western mountains on Saturday, but more widespread rain (snow higher areas Scottish Highlands) on Sunday - albeit the detail for Sunday is unusually uncertain (for a 3 day forecast). Cold often dry conditions will return on Monday, but beyond extensive rain (sometimes snow higher areas) and strong winds probable, although presently Scotland, particularly the Highlands may have only snow showers in the cold air.