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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Thursday 26th February 2026
Last updated
Wed 25th Feb 26 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale-force southwesterlies, strengthening to be severe on higher mountains. Rain increasingly persistent from the west, some heavier falls setting in for periods combined with lowering cloud over the hills. Near freezing on higher Scottish tops, where some snow falls for a time.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland gales, severe high tops. Rain much of day west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly soon strengthening from dawn 40 to 50mph, during morning reaching 60mph with gusts 70mph higher mountains, lasting onward through afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, any mobility challenging on exposed terrain much of the day, gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent to persistent rain, often heavy west.
Bands of rain will sweep west-to-east, showery rain lingering on and near Skye between pulses. Falling as snow on the tops for a time in morning as low as 900m, otherwise mostly rain. Well inland and north will see dry periods between bands of rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, best breaks inland north
During pulses of rain, fog shrouds high terrain with bases as low as 600-700m during heaviest falls. Drier periods bring higher bases, likely with breaks to summits briefly in north and east. On Skye, cloud banks persist from middle slopes up. Toward dusk, bases tend to rise with some breaks forming.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% north/east Munros, 20% Skye and nearby.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun inland and east, otherwise largely cloudy. Mixed visibility, at times very good, though very poor during precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 1C in morning, rising up to 3C during the day, lowering again into night. Feeling like -12 to -15C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m, rising into afternoon above all summits for several hours, lowering again onto highest tops after dark.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 27th February 2026
Last updated
Wed 25th Feb 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 35mph, strongest wind north, speed may vary during day locally.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery wind impedes comfortable walking particularly in the north with marked wind chill and some buffeting.
How Wet?
Showers, snowfall level lowering
Showers arrive from the west, snow falling to 800m at dawn, lowering with time. Showers may at times merge into broader areas of precipitation in west occasionally.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, sometimes lower, may improve
Terrain above 800-900m often in cloud, bases to middle slopes during showers, but with time a breaking trend, some "ribbons" at higher elevations but also breaks to summits possible, best chance inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy but with bright moments, brief sun bursts possible. Good visibility but some haze towards the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to -2C, tending to lower during day. Feeling like -10 to -13C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m from dawn, a lowering trend during day to 700-800m, reaching to 600m by evening.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 28th February 2026
Last updated
Wed 25th Feb 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, strengthening during day 25 to 40mph, risk later afternoon 50-60mph Skye and near west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery with increasingly powerful gusts, walking becoming challenging in exposure in west and wind chill significant.
How Wet?
Much of day likely dry
Chance of brief showers near west coast in morning, snow flurries above 600m. Late in day or perhaps only onward into the night, risk of rain preceded by hill snow moving in from west.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little if any
Some cloud banks drifting over higher slopes mainly southern Cuillin. Rare patches elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly a good amount of sun, patchy cloud west; high cloud tending to build later. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C, lifting to 0C later west coast. Wind chill feeling like -10 to later -15C.
Freezing Level
700 to 800m, plus frost some sheltered lower areas early morning. Likely rising higher later in day near west coast.
Planning Outlook
A changeable southwesterly regime continues through the weekend into early next week. Colder for a time with a drop of freezing level Friday into Saturday allowing some refreezing of higher mountain terrain mainly in Scotland, the snowpack on high mountains consolidating following recent thawing. Milder air and thawing returns into Sunday, accompanied by rain and upland gales. During next week, higher pressure is expected to develop around the British Isles, bringing quieter weather, drier for most with lighter winds. Some fronts may continue to graze northwest Scotland with rain and stronger winds locally for a few more days. Temperatures tending to be on the milder side during early March, but some frosts into valleys at times.