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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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.
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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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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 4th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Feb 26 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Easterly winds gale force across northern Scotland, easing further south. Ongoing snowfalls over E & SE Highlands, sleet or rain lower down; low cloud and whiteout over hills. Early sleet or snow over northern England fades, but low cloud lingers. Largely dry much of Wales, clearer hills west, but increasingly windy.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, gusty. Snow toward east and north, clearer hills west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty, strongest speeds and gusts toward the north, often 50mph all day Ben Hope, lessening a little around Skye to Torridon. Speeds then increasing again widely into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions with frequent buffeting gusts around higher mountains and downslope to west; often difficult over northern mountains. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly east
Snow frequent or persistent over eastern hills from Ben Wyvis area to Caithness and at times Ben Hope, sleet or rain lowest slopes below 200-300m. Patchy flurries westward, often dry much of west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent east, breaks west
Cloud covering higher mountains inland above 800m, or to some lower elevations toward eastern coasts. Further west, higher and more broken, best toward Torridon coast and Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, dull and misty eastern hills, poor visibility, whiteout if in fog and snow. Brighter toward west coast, local glimpses of sun and good visibility below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, up to -1C near Skye, rising slightly during day, widely to 0C into night. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -17C.
Freezing Level
300-400m in east, to 600m or locally higher toward west coast. Variable rise further onward into night, above 800m in many areas.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 5th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Feb 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 35 to 50mph, powerful gusts around higher mountains and downslope to the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions, difficult mobility in places, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow northeast tops
Snow flurries mostly eastern hills near and north of Dornoch Firth, more frequent snow at times on tops, initially rain below 500m, becoming snow lower down with time. Largely dry west coast, particularly Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly east, breaks west
Cloud banks persistent inland and toward east & north above 600 to 800m, lowest near North Sea. Higher and more broken cloud westwards, patches mostly on high tops, often clearer Skye and south of Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun mostly west coastal hills toward Skye with very good visibility. Cloudier inland, hazier north and east, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to -2C, coldest north/east, tending to lower more widely during day. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
700m dropping to 500m with time in east; locally varied to 900m or above for a time toward west coast and on Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 6th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Feb 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 55mph, powerful gusts around higher mountains and downslope to the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult mobility on high terrain, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance some lower slopes. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly east and north
Frequent snow over eastern hills from Ben Wyvis area to Caithness and at times Ben Hope, sleet or rain only lowest slopes. Flurries extend west to Ullapool, but few if any coastal Wester Ross to Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest and most persistent east
Covering mountains above 600-800m in east, or lower nearest the North Sea. Fairly extensive above 800-1000m in west, some breaks toward Torridon and Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, glimpses of sun mostly toward Torridon coast. Hazy, visibility poor in snow, whiteout in cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C north and east, to -2C toward west coast and on Skye. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
300-400m east and northern areas, up to 600m further westward, or variably higher up nearest to west coast around Skye.
Planning Outlook
East or southeasterly winds prevail, persistent gales later this week, severe chill factor over the mountains. Freezing levels will vary, lowering widely again below 600m during Thursday, though staying higher in Wales; then less cold widely into the weekend, rising just above freezing point in Scotland toward 1000m or briefly higher. Colder air then likely returns from east next week. Further snowfalls mostly over eastern hills in Scotland, occasionally hills in England & Wales, mixed with rain here. Indications of less precipitation and lower wind speeds for periods during next week. Highest cloud breaks generally west & northwest Scotland.