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.)
Monday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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
Monday 16th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 15th Feb 26 at
3:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Snow over northwestern mountains in Scotland will tend to extend further into Lochaber and Cairngorms by afternoon as NW'ly winds strengthen, some hail mixed in. Strong westerlies for England, gale-force on Welsh mountains, heavy showers merging into longer periods rain, snow confined to higher tops.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, cold. Snow and hail, more persistent for a time.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 25 to 35mph, lower speeds locally toward Great Glen at first. Squally gusts develop around heavier showers. From dusk, rapid increase to 50-60mph, stronger gusts for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting comfortable walking, gusts knocking you off balance where exposed. Significant wind chill. Deteriorating to more severe conditions quickly from sunset into evening.
How Wet?
Snow and hail, setting in for a time.
Heavy snow and hail showers, merging into more frequent or constant precipitation over a few hours through middle of day - snow falling increasingly to lower slopes inland, rain lower coastal areas. Chance isolated thunder. Least precipitation near Great Glen.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; highest cloud base toward Great Glen
Cloud base varying, sometimes quickly, between 400m near precipitation and otherwise 600 to 800m. Toward the Great Glen, cloud rarely below 600m and breaks toward 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mainly toward Great Glen. Very varied visibility; appalling or near zero for periods in snow, occasionally very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C dropping toward -5C by late afternoon. Directly in the wind feeling like -12 to -15C during daytime, colder soon after dark.
Freezing Level
600m or briefly higher at dawn, though patchy frost some inland and eastern glens. Lowering during day to 400m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 15th Feb 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 25 to 35mph at first, dropping to 15mph, or less into afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for considerable wind chill in the morning, blustery conditions for a few hours at least. Becoming small.
How Wet?
Snow showers or flurries dying out
Snow and hail showers Sutherland and near the coast elsewhere tending to fade. By evening, a further band of snow showers may move into the far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming confined to higher areas and increasingly clearing
Cloud fairly extensive in the morning on higher slopes of Sutherland and near the west coast but patchy elsewhere. By afternoon patches above 750 to 900m, but increasingly mountains free of cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% by afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of cloud and bright sunshine. Excellent visibility, reduced around early showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C. Early in day, feeling like -15C directly in the wind, easing.
Freezing Level
300-400m but most terrain frozen; slight rise toward coast, partial thawing lowest sunlit slopes inland.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 18th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 15th Feb 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 20-30mph; very gusty, sudden changes in direction and not just on high terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, including lower slopes due to considerable buffeting from strong gusts; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little or none
Cloud caps will graze the high summits from Ullapool northward to Ben Hope from time to time, but the Munros otherwise free of cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C south/east, to -2C west coast slopes. Feeling like -10 to -15C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen from dawn, low sun-exposed slopes thawing, up to 500-600m west and northern coasts.
Planning Outlook
Much terrain frozen into midweek, frost into valleys and glens. Uncertain extent of strengthening winds by Wednesday, and possible snow moving into Wales. Late in the week and through next weekend, a switch to southwesterly winds is expected, bringing a change to milder conditions - lifting above freezing to tops in England and Wales, and generally higher freezing levels in Scotland; periods of thawing likely over the mountains, though some further snowfall at times on higher Munros. Rain most frequent over western hills. Generally windy with upland gales.