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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 24th Feb 26 at
4:54PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Mild for the time of year; freezing levels above all summits, snow still lying on high Munros but continuing to thaw to the summits. Windy, strongest near Irish Sea and south Scotland with buffeting gusts. Rain and extensive hill cloud in west Scotland, passing east and into England and Wales with time.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Rain, drizzle, and fog, most persistent Skye
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 15-25mph, notable gustiness, sometimes to middle slopes. A chance of lighter, variable winds near west and north coastal hills.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though walking at times affected by buffeting gusts.
How Wet?
Frequent rain and drizzle, most persistent Skye
Rain affects Skye and nearby west coastal mountains persistently, from before dawn. Often drizzly from Kintail northward to Ullapool, generally drier further east but drizzle and rain reaching these areas as well, increasingly so afternoon.
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, may reach up to 800m for a time, but later more widely extensive.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few brighter moments towards the east earlier in the day, otherwise overcast and dull. Mostly poor visibility in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C; only small change with added height. A slight lowering may begin late in the day, greater certainty overnight. Feeling below freezing in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits during daylight with thaws to high terrain, though snow coverage still fairly widespread on highest Munros.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 26th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 24th Feb 26 at
4:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph from dawn (lower speed pre-dawn); strengthening, reaching 45-55mph, possibly stronger on high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking at least strenuous and often arduous with balance challenges 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 as snow on the tops, locally as low as 900m. 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 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 on tops during snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 1C at dawn, rising up to 3C during the day, lowering again into night. Feeling like -12 to -15C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
900-1100m, some variability through the day, to high tops for several hours, lowering again into night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 27th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 24th Feb 26 at
4:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally westerly 15-30mph, strongest wind north, a strengthening trend, but likely variable with low confidence in detail.
Effect of the wind on you?
Wind impedes walking in the north with wind chill; may be locally fairly small but trending towards larger effects.
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, but an easing trend later.
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 or +1C from dawn, lowering with time, to -3C by evening. Feeling near -10C if strong wind occurs.
Freezing Level
900-1000m from dawn, a lowering trend likely, perhaps reaching to 500m by evening.
Planning Outlook
Thursday will be windy with a swathe of rain affecting all areas at some point. A low pressure core is likely to affect the country on Friday, but detail is highly uncertain: there is a risk of rain and strong wind for central and southern areas, a general cooling trend. Snow returning to the Scottish Highlands, the snowfall level lowering into nighttime. A fast-moving ridge of high pressure leads into Saturday, then a return to west-southwesterly wind with bands of rain passing west to east through the weekend into the following week. Mixed conditions are indicated in the following week, with low and high pressure competing for dominance: freezing levels will vary, high Scottish terrain often at or below freezing, the level occasionally lifting to and above tops.