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.)
Thursday'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.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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
Thursday 12th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Mar 26 at
12:53PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe gale or storm force upland winds ahead of an active slowly southeastward moving front, which will bring widespread heavy rain and fog to almost all mountain areas. Across Scotland, behind the front, squally hail and snow showers.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Upland severe gales; frequent snow and hail - whiteout. Fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Storm force winds overnight. After dawn, soon southwesterly 50 to 65mph; very gusty near showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, mobility challenging over exposed terrain particularly near precipitation. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent rain clearing to frequent snow and hail showers
Very wet underfoot after heavy rain, finishing as snow to 600m during morning Then, shower after shower, sometimes the rain, hail and above 500m snow almost constant - intermittent whiteout. Risk thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Nearly always covering the mountains: quickly varying cloud base
Rapidly varying cloud base: typically between 600 and 750m, or well inland 900m. Near precipitation, abruptly 450m, sometimes 300m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of sun. Visibility sometimes very good, but frequently abruptly appalling in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon -1C. Will feel as cold as minus -18C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above 1000m prior to dawn, but soon 750m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 13th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Mar 26 at
12:53PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly varying through day between 35 and 55mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions over the mountains, sometimes general mobility may be a struggle. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow; risk thunder
Showers with hail merging into periods of constant precipitation particularly more western mountains; snow falling toward lower elevations in morning, then mostly rain below 400m. Isolated lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive; rarely clearing to higher slopes
Cloud base frequently changing: at times shafts of cloud to 600m or lower near west coast, often capping western mountains above 800m, but some breaks to 1000m, more often eastwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun. Visibility varying between intermittently very good, and appalling when in snow/hail and cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around -2C. Will feel as cold as minus 16C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Typically 600-700m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 14th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Mar 26 at
12:53PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest backing southerly, strengthening through day from around 40 to 55mph. By dusk may approach 70mph near coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or on higher tops difficult walking all day. Later mobility becoming increasing difficult and wind chill perhaps severe.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow.
Precipitation frequent or falling much of the day as shower after shower (sometimes merging one into another and whiteout). Areas north of Torridon may become dry for a few hours. Chance widespread precipitation by dusk.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost constantly covering the mountains
Varied cloud base: sometimes below 300-450m near precipitation but periods when most cloud above 600 to 900m. Increasingly lowest cloud base occurring on western mountains south of Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly away from Skye and nearby mainland. Hazy, particularly near Skye; appalling visibility in snow
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Will feel as cold as minus 16C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m
Planning Outlook
Further bouts of upland gales over the next few days. Precipitation on most mountains almost daily, focussed on western mountains. Freeze thaw cycles will occur: on the Scottish Highlands, thaw periods fairly brief and snow accumulating on many slopes. Further south, lying snow more intermittent as periods of thaw will be lengthier. Temperature levels will rise from about next Tuesday.