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.)
Wednesday'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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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.
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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 10th Feb 26 at
4:19PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy for many, gale force gusts in Scotland, most powerful west. Snowing south and east Highlands (whiteout on high terrain), only patchy west; rain to lower slopes at first. Extensive cloud from southern Scotland through England and Wales and often raining, heaviest south and west slopes. Lighter wind southern Pennines.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales with powerful gusts; often snowing central and north areas
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 45mph, powerful gusts in places over high ground and towards the west, reaching 55mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous walking with significant wind chill and buffeting - strongest gusts likely require bracing to maintain balance.
How Wet?
Frequent showery snow from the east, only odd spots to Skye
Frequent showery snow driving in from the east affects the Munros from Kintail to Ben Hope much of the day, including the northwest coast; mostly rain below 300-400m, the snowfall level lowering with time. Only odd spots reaching coastal mountains south of Torridon, including Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, but cloud base higher toward Skye
Most hills persistently cloud covered above 800m, bases often lower to the east, as low as 500m Ullapool to Assynt. Typically nearer 600-700m west coast. South from about Torridon, higher cloud base, typically 800 to perhaps 1050m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%, but 40% near Skye
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun western hills, best chance around Skye, but high cloud weakens sunshine. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, locally very good near Skye/Torridon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C Skye to -4C in the far north. Southern areas lowering to -2 or -3C with time, highest temperatures always around Skye/Torridon; further lowering after dark. Will feel as cold as -15 to -20C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500-700m from dawn, or locally higher Skye and Torridon. Lowering from the north, 400-500m by evening, lowering further into night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 12th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 10th Feb 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-northeasterly 30-40mph, trending northeasterly and easing with time, 25-30mph, always strongest south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking with severe wind chill early, slowly easing with time, though always blustery in exposure.
How Wet?
Early snow south, then northern showers
Some early snow in southern and eastern areas. Becoming drier for a time, then patchy snow showers arrive onto northern Munros and slowly move south.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, well-broken north/west
Cloud mostly on high terrain from Kintail to Ben Hope and east, western hills often clear. With time, cloud becomes well-broken in the north, though some patches will increasingly drift down north and west coast high terrain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Frequent bursts of sunshine in the north and west, most often cloudy east but glimpses here too. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, dropping a degree in the far north; may start slightly warmer Skye. Feeling like -20C (colder early) in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, locally to glen level north/east; up to 500m Skye early, lowering with time.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 13th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 10th Feb 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly, some slight variability in direction through the day, 20-30mph, at times stronger on high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery on high terrain all day with significant wind chill; walking may become strenuous at times.
How Wet?
Snow showers
Snow showers affect north and west coastal slopes most of the day, all the way to Skye, some hail mixed in as well, small risk an odd lightning flash north. Showers at times push inland too.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy cloud on high terrain
Patchy cloud drifts onto coastal slopes all day, mostly on higher terrain, lowest bases near Ben Hope to 800m; towards the south, summits will see breaks. The inland south often, but not always, cloud-free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine in-and-out near the coast, more consistent inland. Excellent visibility away from snow showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-6 or -7C, rising a degree or two in the sun. Feeling like -20C or colder in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Nearly all terrain frozen from dawn, just some coastal slopes/Skye up to 300-400m. Some thawing on sun-exposed low slopes.
Planning Outlook
Becoming colder for all areas during the transition into the weekend, with much mountain terrain frozen again to increasingly lower elevations - soonest toward the north and east of Scotland. A widespread frost is likely early on Saturday. Northeasterly wind will be dominant - the distribution of snow showers shifting with time from eastern hills to more north-facing mountains, particularly Scotland. Away from showers later in the week, brighter than recently with sunshine and clearer hills, most likely later Friday and Saturday. Unsettled weather returns on Sunday, with a more active week likely to follow, dominated by west-to-northwesterly winds - most precipitation in the west with some freeze-thaw cycles in central and southern areas.