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.)
Today'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+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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 22nd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales in north England and Scotland, severe on the high Munros, gusting to storm force in the north; severe wind chills. Frequent or persistent rain across most mountains, falling as snow onto the high Munros from dawn, the snow level lowering with time; snow will be heavy with whiteout conditions in east Scotland.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Rain south and east, turning to snow; severe gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 55 to 70mph; powerful gusts downslope toward west, risk reaching as high as 80mph over highest tops in the far north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, mobility challenging and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain / snow on southern and eastern Munros
In eastern areas, rain then snow to increasingly lower elevations, from Easter Ross up to Ben Hope. Further west towards the coast, odd spots or flurries in the wind. Rain patches will become more frequent on Skye and Kintail with time, turning wintry on the tops here.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, more broken west
Low cloud banks likely to cover many eastern hills, some drifting over higher slopes further westwards, best breaks toward coastal Wester Ross. Breaks on Skye too but cloud more variable here and Kintail.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun west coast, good visibility toward Skye, cloudier south and east. Some haze building and visibility turns poor in rain and particularly in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C in east and north to start, lowering to -1C. Some upper slopes near west coast at +1 or 2C, these temperatures only lowering late in the day. Wind chill feels as cold as -17 to -20C or colder in very strongest gusts.
Freezing Level
Variable in west, just above freezing to tops west coast, but dropping to 600-800m inland and east, later below 600m. By evening, 700-800m over Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 50 to 60mph, in places 70mph around high mountains early; powerful downslope gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, mobility limited and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow northeast, only spots west and south
Frequent to persistent snow in Caithness, patches drifting further west to Ben Hope. Further south, odd spots or flurries in the wind, but often dry toward Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive east, broken west
Low cloud banks likely to cover many eastern hills, some drifting over higher slopes further westwards. Cloud mostly isolated to the high slopes of Skye and coastal Wester Ross, coastal slopes often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some sun west coast, good visibility toward Skye, cloudier north and east and rather hazy, poor or appalling visibility if in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C Skye (little change with added height), to -3C Caithness hills; may lower slightly. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
500-600m Caithness and Sutherland, up to 800m Skye. May lower further from the northeast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 40 to 55mph, powerful gusts downslope to the west; may start to lessen with time - uncertain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions; walking and balance difficult in exposed areas, buffeting gusts lower down; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly northeast hills
Snow flurries mostly eastern hills, sleet or rain lower slopes toward east coast; may be frequent or persistent near/north of Dornoch Firth. Very little across most west coast mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent northeast, breaks west
Covering eastern hills from Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis most or all day, to mid-slopes or lower near to North Sea. Higher and more broken cloud west and southwest toward Skye and Torridon, at times clearing tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% east/north, to 50% near Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun west coast, where visibility good below cloud, though some haze. Otherwise cloudy, poor visibility where in snow locally.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C inland, north and east, up to +1C coastal tops around Skye. Directly in the wind feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
500-600m in east & northern areas, higher toward Wester Ross and Skye, 800m or above on some coastal mountains.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale force easterlies over most mountains into the weekend, powerful gusts downslope toward west; severe chill factor. Colder air and lowering freezing level moves into Scotland on Friday, much mountain terrain then frozen into the weekend and early next week. Substantial snowfalls over eastern Scottish hills later this week, drier to the west. Dropping just below freezing on high tops in England and Wales - a mix of rain and high level snow, turning colder further south over the weekend, with freezing level dropping to the southern Pennines summits next week. Circulating low pressure and cold air into next week, with further snowfalls likely. Lower wind speeds early in the new week, but then likely increasing E-SE'ly again.