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.)
Thursday'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.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be 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.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 8th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 7th Jan 26 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fairly benign conditions, breezier in northern Scotland. Local snow flurries, patchy cloud and some sun. A developing system to the southwest moves into Wales with heavy snow setting in increasingly widely later, extending into the Peak District by evening, accompanied by gales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Blustery, all day in north. Coastal showers, local flurries.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South or southwesterly, 20 to 30mph, strongest sustained wind toward Ben Hope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small some slopes at times, but feeling blustery with marked wind chill on exposed tops and ridges.
How Wet?
Patchy light snow, showers mostly west
Occasional snow flurries, mostly western areas, frequent in places next to the coast, sleet or rain lower coastal slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud mostly higher areas
Patchy cloud around upper slopes and corries, most common toward west coast. Some mist lower down inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some glimpses of sun. Visibility very good where dry, reducing in showers. Beware difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, up to -1C Skye and nearest coast. Where exposed to wind, feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen and snow covered, some glens stay sub-zero. In places just above freezing to 400m, or 600m coasts.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 9th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 7th Jan 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable direction, mostly below 15-20mph, in places often little wind.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely small.
How Wet?
Coastal showers, snow tops
Showers mostly near to the coasts, falling as snow on tops, possibly hail at times; mostly rain on low-mid slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches
Patchy cloud clinging to some upper slopes and corries, but expect clearer spells over many mountains. Larger cloud banks near coast if showers occur.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any sun weak due to a veil of high cloud. Visibility very good over many hills, some haze or mist inland glens.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -3C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen into the glens, some slopes around 300-500m inland just above freezing point, or up to 700m coasts.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 10th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 7th Jan 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly or variable 20 to 30mph, gusty in places on some downslopes to the north of higher mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, starting to affect balance on some exposed ridges, locally buffeting gusts not just on tops; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, snow and hail
Showers most frequent near to west coasts, snow flurries pushing eastwards at times, to lower slopes inland, but near coast mostly rain below 500m, some hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches
Patchy cloud around some slopes and tops, mostly in west and where showers occur, may often cover some hills. Some mist possible lower slopes inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun. Visibility good away from showers; difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, nearer 0C coastal tops. Feeling like -10 to -13C if in gusty wind.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen inland; just above freezing around 300-500m, up to 600-700m near west coast and on Skye.
Planning Outlook
Terrain remaining widely frozen into the weekend, extensive deep snow cover for Highlands, less nearer the central belt. A fresh good covering for Wales and south Pennines from Thursday night too. Quiet weather for Saturday daytime. Then into Sunday, southerly winds strengthen to gales - as a frontal system approaches, snow then freezing rain is likely. A rise of freezing level from the southwest - some thawing develops, rising just above freezing toward higher slopes; more pronounced thawing in England and Wales to the tops. Uncertain patterns next week, colder air may return across Scotland, whilst further south often generally milder. Some further hill snow mainly in Scotland.