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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
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.
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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
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 14th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold westerly winds, backing southerly and strengthening ahead of a front which will move into western Scotland during the afternoon, with snow setting in for western mountains, patchier further east. Ahead of this front, scattered snow showers. Mostly dry for England and Wales until front edges precipitation into west later.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
A few showers, then snow and gales setting in to west in afternoon.
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 and 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 in the 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 glens after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 15th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 16th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in track of small potent low. May track east leaving little wind, but risk for a time, northwesterly 25 to 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
High uncertainty over track of low. May stay to the east, but risk of arduous conditions for a time and marked wind chill.
How Wet?
May well be dry, but risk spell of snow.
May well be mostly dry, but risk of precipitation moving up from the south on a small scale low, which would give a spell of snow, rain below 500m.
Cloud on the hills?
Risk fairly extensive, best breaks west.
Risk of hill fog for several hours across upper slopes, down to mid slopes should spell of snow develop. Otherwise, best breaks toward the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, best glimpses of sun toward west coast. Visibility perhaps very good, but poor or very poor should rain/snow develop.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
700-800m, may be down to 500-600m should persistent precipitation develop.
Planning Outlook
Very uncertain forecast late Thursday and into Friday, as a small scale and rather potent low pressure system edges northwards across the country on a very uncertain track. May bring a spell of strong winds and upland heavy snowfall overnight and into Friday morning before pulling away to the east. Thereafter, a drier and chilly weekend will follow. Looking further ahead, a colder continental influence may be drawn in on south to east winds, with the snow pack across the Scottish Highlands being enhanced by further spells of snowfall where fronts edge in from the west, whilst further south snow accumulates on higher areas, and occasional falls reach lower slopes.