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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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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+
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 17th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely windy, severe gales in Scotland. Rain in the western Scottish highlands edges into central highlands with time; early drizzle over many high slopes, lingering in Scotland, Lakeland, and Snowdonia. Sun breaking out afternoon over Wales and the Pennines with milder temperatures, though a chill in wind.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Severe gales; often raining Skye and nearby, more widely later
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50-70mph, strongest west coast. Powerful gusts over high terrain, reaching up to 80mph, gusts to lower slopes too. An easing trend begins into and overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions widely, any mobility tortuous west coast and Skye where any stability challenges may result in being blown over and pushed. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent rain Skye and nearby
Frequent or persistent rain and drizzle onto Skye and nearby mainland. Elsewhere, just a little drizzle in wind, some steadier spells of rain Torridon and Kintail, then afternoon brings a band of rain edging east across all mountains into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket fog Skye, broken moments inland, later widely extensive
Persistent fog Skye and nearby mainland, covering some south facing coastal cliffs, to widely 200-400m. Most cloud above 700m well inland and often higher with occasional breaks towards summits towards the east. Becoming more widely extensive afternoon with arrival of rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% inland north, to 10% Skye, and later widely 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull Skye and nearby. Pockets of sun here and there inland and north; visibility good or sometimes excellent, but deteriorating afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C through morning, beginning to lower afternoon, to 2C around dusk, lowering a few degrees further overnight; staying a degree milder Ben Wyvis. Feeling like -10 to -15C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, lowering to just touch the high summits as dusk approaching, approaching 900-1000m overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-40mph early, lowest speed south; easing and trending westerly, 15-25mph, or lower far south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting arduous with considerable buffeting and significant wind chill in exposure, improving to fairly small.
How Wet?
Some light showers, most hills dry
A few light showers affecting west coastal hills, falling as snow flurries from 700m up at first, the snowfall level rising.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high western terrain, improving
West coast slopes often in cloud above 800-900m, lowering periodically, particularly during showers where may reach 700m. Well broken inland, some variability, but tending to clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%, rising to 70% inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sunshine, best sun breaks in the east. Very good visibility, an offshore haze to the northwest.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C lifting, to 3C for a time, then likely back to 2C as dusk approaches. Feeling like -10 to -15C in early wind.
Freezing Level
900m from dawn, lifting to or above the high tops.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Low and middle cloud early, mostly clearing
Dawn fog in the glens, ragged banks up to 700-800m, which may be thicker layers along the coast (summits likely start clear). Cloud lifts after sunrise, mostly dissipating through morning, a few banks occasionally drifting over the high northern Munros.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising up to 5C Torridon and Skye, staying cooler to the north.
Freezing Level
Likely above the summits, though may just graze highest tops near and north of Ullapool.
Planning Outlook
Pressure begins to rise on Wednesday, bringing fairly widely settled conditions across the country. Some cloud and spotty light rain lingers in north England/south Scotland for a few days, elsewhere becoming mostly sunny; valley fog in many lowland areas early, lifting and dissipating after sunrise for clear hills. Generally milder temperatures and light wind but the occasional stronger gust. East Scotland stays cooler for a time, some overnight frosts possible under clear-sky nights. Over the weekend, first indications of a cool easterly wind building, perhaps some patchy rain here and there. Into next week, detail is uncertain; low pressure may occasionally unsettle the weather, brining cooler, wetter, and windier periods.