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
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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.
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 23rd Feb 26 at
3:58PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely windy, gales over high terrain and more widely Scottish Highlands. Most rain in northwest Scotland with extensive coastal cloud, some drizzle on other high northwestern terrain with low cloud, most persistent on south/west aspects. Largely dry central and east areas, early low cloud, sun breaks with time.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, severe west coast hills; drizzly Skye, more widely later
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-50mph and gusty. Strongest wind west coast, strongest gusts to 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over exposed higher terrain, frequent buffeting down to mid-heights will require constant effort to maintain stability, particularly near the coast. Significant wind chill despite milder air.
How Wet?
Light rain on and near Skye, patches more widely afternoon
Light rain and drizzle often affecting high terrain of Skye and up to Torridon. Afternoon brings broader areas of rain across Skye and patches northward along coastal hills, some reaching towards Easter Ross too. Wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest Skye, chance breaks for a time
Shrouding the mountains widely, from lower slopes up around Skye, and Kintail, nearer 600-800m northward along the coast. Through the morning, local breaks are likely, to higher terrain or even summits inland and north, though the chance of clear hills reduces with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% inland north, widely lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy and murky toward west, poor visibility Skye and nearby coast. Better visibility eastward with bright and sunny breaks but also some haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Variable between 3 to 5C most areas, typically mildest towards the north. In exposure to wind, feeling like -8 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Above all summits with thawing to upper slopes, though icy surfaces remain on high tops with local refrozen snow patches.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 23rd Feb 26 at
3:58PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15-25mph; notable gusts, not just on high slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though walking at times affected by buffeting gusts.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Rain affects Skye and west coastal mountains persistently, from before dawn. Inland mountains see some dry periods but rain regularly spreads here too.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
A sheet of cloud shrouds the west coastal hills from middle or lower slopes upward, Skye in particular nearly constantly shrouded to low slopes. Higher breaks possible Ben Wyvis and hills east of Ullapool, but unlikely above 700-800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few brighter moments towards the east, otherwise overcast and dull. Mostly poor visibility in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C; only small change with added height. Feeling below freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 26th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 23rd Feb 26 at
3:58PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-45mph, some variability in this range and notable gusts on high terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking at least strenuous and often arduous with considerable buffeting in exposure and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Pulses of rain/snow, locally frequent
Bands of rain will sweep west-to-east, showery rain lingering on and near Skye between pulses. Falling largely as snow from 900m up. Well inland and north will see dry periods between the band of rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, best breaks inland north
During pulses of rain, fog shrouds high terrain with lowest bases as low as 600-700m during heaviest falls. Drier periods bring higher bases, likely with breaks to inland summits. On Skye, cloud banks likely persist from middle slopes up all day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% inland Munros, 20% Skye and nearby
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright/sunny bursts during breaks in the rain, best inland. Mixed visibility, at times very good, though very poor if in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Variable between 0 to 2C, likely coolest around the midday hours. Feeling like -12 to -15C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
900-1100m, some variability through the day; lowering overnight.
Planning Outlook
West to southwesterly winds prevail from mid-week into the weekend as areas of low pressure move toward northwest Scotland; regular rainfall here, most frequent and heavy over western mountains. Bands of rain from the west also affecting England and Wales. Milder temperatures from mid-week with freezing levels above all summits for a few days, substantial thawing to the summits in England and Wales, some high slope thawing in Scotland too. Extensive gales, only a brief easing on Wednesday, then soon unsettled again with cooler temperatures returning, showery west with bands of rain passing east, some snow on Scottish Munros. Some drier, brighter weather is possible over the weekend, though interruptions by bands of rain are likely with low confidence in detail.