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.)
Tuesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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
Tuesday 13th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Jan 26 at
1:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A cold front will move southeastwards brining a few hours of precipitation - although still some uncertainty in its exact shape and position. Snow and hail showers will affect W Scotland whilst most other areas will have a few hours of rain, in places finishing as snow, as the temperature drops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Snow showers, mainly west. Wind tending to strengthen.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 30mph strongest afternoon. Possibly a lull to low speeds in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely to increasingly impede ease of walking higher up and give notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Heavy showers of hail and except on lower coastal slopes snow. Frequently dry, with only a few showers easternmost summits.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive
Higher areas extensively cloud covered, and particularly near the coast, cloud base may drop below 400m for periods in and after showers. Generally though breaks to 700m near the coast and 900m well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility sometimes very good although in snow appalling.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
700m. Frost some valleys after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 14th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Jan 26 at
1:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30mph morning. Then backing southerly and strengthening to 40-50mph by mid or late afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small particularly lower slopes morning. Walking then increasingly difficult and wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Morning: snow an hail showers. Afternoon: snow, incessant near Skye
Showers of hail and snow, mostly rain lower coastal slopes. Around midday snow (rain lower slopes) setting in near Skye; whiteout. Will spread across region afternoon, but total fall small north and east of Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on most or all higher areas
Morning: Cloud sometimes forming below 450m near the coast, particularly near Skye, but cloud base elsewhere 600 to 750m, highest well inland where there may be breaks to higher tops. Afternoon: Near Skye deteriorating as fog forms on lowest slopes up.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine morning, mainly well inland. Visibility often very good, but appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Directly in wind will feel as cold as minus 14C.
Freezing Level
700m, but a little higher coastal hills. Frost many valleys after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 15th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Jan 26 at
1:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to perhaps 35mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong enough to make walking arduous where exposed and balance at times difficult. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy hail and snow showers
Succession of hail and snow showers (mostly rain lower coastal slopes). Small risk thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Unlikely to clear the Munros
Higher areas almost always cloud covered. Cloud base typically 400 to 700m near the coast and 500 to 900m elsewhere. Highest cloud base Sutherland and Ben Wyvis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine. Very varied visibility: sometimes excellent, but appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
750m, marginally higher close to the coast.
Planning Outlook
Mostly cloudy with precipitation from time to time over the next few days - although total rainfall is now expected to be fairly small on most mountains, particularly N Scotland. Temperature wise, it is highly likely to remain colder than recent January's with the snow pack across the Scottish Highlands being enhanced by further snowfall, whilst further south snow accumulates on higher areas, and occasional falls reaching lower slopes.