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
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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
Monday 23rd February 2026
Last updated
Sun 22nd Feb 26 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread gales, severe for several hours on higher terrain. Early showers from the west affect many hills, particularly Scotland where rain will be frequent; snow on high terrain. Rain slowly eases afternoon, then a warm front approaches Wales, brining more rain and rising temperatures here, spreading widely overnight.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales and showers, sometimes heavy; both easing afternoon
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-50mph, strongest near Skye and Kintail and possibly higher speeds for a time early; lighter speeds north of Ullapool, nearer 25-30mph. Easing to 25-30mph widely, shifting westerly for a time, then strengthening again later overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions on Munros south of Ullapool in the morning, less effects to the north but walking strenuous, at least; significant wind chill. Trending towards easier effects afternoon but wind remains a nuisance.
How Wet?
Heavy showers in the morning, fading
Frequent showery precipitation over western areas from before dawn into morning, heavy with risk of hail, snow above 900m; at times merging into broader areas of rain and snow. Fading with time to lighter showers, more often dry north/east afternoon, most areas dry into evening before rain returns overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high terrain, some breaks form
Cloud base varying early in day, often covering higher slopes, patches to 600-700m in west during precipitation, but also some higher breaks too. Tending to lift and break toward upper slopes, but may often cap west coast tops well into the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, rising somewhat with time
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mixed bright and cloudy conditions, occasional sun breaking through, mostly eastern areas in the afternoon. Hazy west coast, poor visibility around showers, but visibility improving afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C from dawn, lifting to 2C through daylight, further rising a few degrees overnight. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, only a slight rise afternoon, then lifting after dark, to above the summits overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 22nd Feb 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-50mph and gusty. Strongest wind west coast gusting to 60mph or stronger.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mobility difficult over exposed higher terrain, frequent buffeting at mid-heights. Significant wind chill despite milder air.
How Wet?
Rain heaviest around Skye
Light rain and drizzle often affecting high terrain Skye and up to Torridon. Drier toward Easter Ross. Broader areas of rain will drift north across Skye and along coastal hills. Wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest Skye
Shrouding the mountains widely, from lower slopes up around Skye, 600-800m inland and north of Ullapool, highest breaks eastward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy, murky toward west, poor visibility Skye and nearby coast. Better visibility eastward, but hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. In exposure to wind, feeling like -8 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Above all summits with thawing to upper slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 22nd Feb 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15-30mph, notable gusts, not just high slopes. A chance of lower speeds though confidence is low.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking often impeded by wind, strenuous at times with buffeting gusts, though also may be fairly small for periods.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Rain affects Skye and west coastal mountains persistently, from before dawn. Inland mountains see some dry periods in the morning, though an increasing risk of frequent and heavy rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
A sheet of cloud shrouds the west coastal hills from middle or lower slopes upward, Skye in particularly nearly constantly shrouded to low slopes. Higher breaks possible Ben Wyvis and hills east of Ullapool, but unlikely above 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few brighter moments towards the east, otherwise overcast and dull. Mostly poor visibility in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C; little change with added height. Feeling as cold as -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Just above the summits, may graze the highest tops in the north at times.
Planning Outlook
West to southwesterly winds prevail during the week ahead as areas of low pressure move toward northwest Scotland; regular rainfall here, most frequent and heavy over western mountains. Weak high pressure keeps the weather drier to the south and east early in the week. Sustained gales over the mountains, only brief lulls around mid-week. Temperatures rising into mid-week with freezing levels soon lifting off summits in England and Wales for substantial snow thaws. Some thawing in Scotland too. Later in the week, becoming more widely unsettled again with cooler temperatures, at times showery with hail, some snow on Scottish Munros. The final days of February favour colder northwesterly air and a drop of freezing level; a dry and bright spell is possible early weekend.