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.)
Sunday'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.
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.
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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.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 7th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 6th Dec 25 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy rain in western areas early, drier east though lots of cloud over summits; some clear tops central and south Pennines. Winds soon begin to strengthen widely, quickest in Wales and reaching gale force here afternoon. Rain also arrives from the west afternoon, spreading widely into evening.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Early spotty rain, then turning blustery, later rainy
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15-20mph, shifting southeasterly and rising, reaching 30-35mph mainly around Skye by afternoon, more widely later; winds variable around and after dusk with stronger and weaker periods, a southwesterly trend into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely fairly small, but becoming more blustery afternoon, first in the southwest. Beware sudden chances in speed and direction late in the day, strongest gusts may challenge balance. A cool feel.
How Wet?
Patchy rain west, spreading more widely late
Morning patchy rain most frequent around Skye, some local patches drifting further north. Rain quite sparse for a few hours, then setting in Skye through afternoon and spreading northeast into dusk; northern areas may be dry or only light rain before dark.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks north early, becoming extensive from the south
Covering higher areas of Skye and Torridon all day, often capping tops east towards Ben Wyvis as well. Well broken north of Ullapool early in the day with some clear tops, though filling in more widely from the south through afternoon above 600-700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% north at first, lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few early glimpses of sun in the far north, becoming overcast. Visibility good where dry, reducing in rain, most often poor on Skye, more widely later.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, small variation with height inland and along the northwest coast. Cooling later, likely to 2C or locally cooler inland. Feeling below freezing in wind, risk -5C if speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Above freezing to highest tops well into the day, then lowering onto the tops around dusk, towards 1100-1200m into night.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 8th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 6th Dec 25 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly, 25 to 35mph, a rising trend but fluctuating, reaching up to 45mph over highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be aware of changing conditions: often strenuous in exposure, a challenging window possible. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain most frequent west
Showery rain most common Skye, some heavy with possible hail. Occasional showers northward near west coast. Early showers inland/near Ben Wyvis, but these tending to clear.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent western tops
Frequently capping the Cuillin and many west coastal tops on the mainland, bases varying 600 to 900m. Cloud more broken north/east, at times clearing tops though will fill in for periods too as rain passes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly east and far north. Visibility very good where dry, but reduced in rain at times west, briefly poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. If exposed to stronger winds, risk feeling close to -10C on high tops.
Freezing Level
At or just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 9th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 6th Dec 25 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 20-30mph from dawn, rapidly rising to a gusty 50-65mph; turning W'ly, risk further deteriorating; variable.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions soon set in - you may struggle to stay on your feet during powerful gusts. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Near-constant rain sets in
Dry at and before dawn, rain soon arrives in the south and spreads widely by midday, setting in persistently and often heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming extensive
From dawn, shrouding high ground from Skye towards Ben Wyvis, some eastern Munros further north as well. Highest bases northwest coast, perhaps clear tops just after dawn. Soon deteriorating widely, from lower or middle slopes upward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Lowering to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Soon widely overcast and dull. Poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, warmest northwest coast. Rising to 6 to 8C for several afternoon hours. Feeling like -8 to -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled into the week with areas of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic on prevailing southwesterly winds. Temperatures relatively mild, higher tops in the Highlands intermittently just below freezing point; expect periods of thawing even up to these tops. Day-to-day weather detail will be uncertain even in short-range as complex systems develop - a series of frontal systems bringing spells of rain, at times more widespread and heavy - any snowfall mostly confined to highest tops in Scotland; also showers at times with hail mostly near western coasts. Wind speeds will also vary, often blustery with periods of gales or severe gales on tops, but local lulls too.