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.)
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 22nd January 2021
Last updated
Thursday 21st January 2021 at
2:57 PM
Very cold across the mountains - terrain widely frozen, very icy in places, plus lying snow in most areas. Brisk west to northwest winds will maintain a severe chill factor in exposure. Areas of snow or hail showers moving inland from western coasts.
Cold, windy. Snow and hail frequent in west.
Northwesterly 25 to 40mph.
Frequent buffeting, risk sudden powerful squalls. Severe wind chill.
Frequent snow and hail
Clusters of heavy snow and hail showers, may merge to give frequent snow and whiteout for periods, particularly western mountains.
Varied, often covering tops
Cloud base changing quickly in and out of precipitation. Often extensive above 800m, and shafts of cloud sometimes below 500m. Brief breaks to higher tops.
30%
Brief glimpses of sun and clear air, but near-zero visibility during snow.
-6C. Where exposed to wind on higher terrain, feeling close to -20C.
Terrain frozen to most lower slopes away from immediate coast.
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 23rd January 2021
Last updated
Thursday 21st January 2021 at
2:57 PM
Westerly 20 to 30mph, may reach 40mph at times.
Frequent buffeting, risk arduous conditions. Severe wind chill.
Frequent snow and hail west
Snow and hail showers continue to come in from the west, most frequent on coastal mountains, where locally rarely ceasing. Small risk isolated thunder. Fewer showers toward the Moray Firth.
Varied, often covering tops
Cloud base varied: Often covering mountains above 700-800m in west, and during showers forming below 500m. Brief breaks to higher tops, most common toward east.
30%
Brief sun and very clear air. Appalling visibility during precipitation and/or blowing snow.
-5C
Terrain widely frozen. Partial thawing lower coastal slopes up to 300-400m.
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 24th January 2021
Last updated
Thursday 21st January 2021 at
2:57 PM
Direction likely to vary, occasional lulls, but risk squally 30-40mph at times.
May be often small, but beware of changing conditions and significant wind chill.
Risk periods of snow and hail
Detail uncertain: Areas of snow or hail showers, most frequent near west coast. May merge into a zone of constant snow for a few hours. Also periods where dry for several hours locally.
Extensive around precipitation
Cloud varied - sometimes only fragments on higher slopes, with good breaks. Around showers, forming extensively and quickly below 700m.
40%
Intermittent sun and very clear air. Visibility abruptly appalling if in snow.
-4C
Terrain widely frozen. Partial thawing to 400m on hills nearest west coast.
All mountains sub-zero through the weekend and into early next week. Terrain widely frozen with fresh snow cover to many lower slopes. Some freeze-thaw cycles may then occur, although higher Scottish mountains may rarely lift above zero for the next couple of weeks at least. Showers of snow and hail, or further significant snowfalls in some areas. Precipitation frequent into late January. Hard frosts most common in Highland glens. Very icy underfoot in places. Wind speeds varied, occasionally reaching gale force.