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.)
Today'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+
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.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread across all mountain areas, powerful turbulent gusts downslope toward the west in places. Prolonged upland snow southeastern Highlands into southern Cairngorms, increasingly rain to mid-heights. Further rain also spreads north across Wales then the Pennines. Low cloud widely.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, severe on tops. Snow mostly east, clearer west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 50 to 60mph, in places 70mph around high mountains in morning; powerful downslope gusts. Peak speeds moderating a little during afternoon
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, mobility limited and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow northeast, little west and near Skye
Frequent to persistent snow in Caithness, patches drifting further west to Ben Hope, sleet or rain on lower slopes, rising to 600m later in day. Further south, odd spots or flurries in the wind, but often dry toward Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive east, broken west
Low cloud banks likely to cover many eastern hills, some drifting over higher slopes further westwards. Cloud mostly isolated to the high slopes of Skye and coastal Wester Ross, many coastal slopes clearing for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, to 60% near west coast around Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some sun west coast, good visibility toward Skye, cloudier north and east and rather hazy, poor or very locally appalling visibility if in snow around Ben Hope.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, up to +1C Skye; as low as -3C toward Ben Hope. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
500-600m Caithness and Sutherland, slight rise later. Up to 800m inland Wester Ross or just above freezing to many upper slopes nearest coast and on Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 40 to 55mph, powerful gusts downslope to the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions; walking and balance difficult in exposed areas, buffeting gusts lower down; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly northeast hills
Snow flurries mostly eastern hills, sleet or rain lower slopes toward east coast; may be frequent or persistent near/north of Dornoch Firth. Very little across most west coast mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent northeast, breaks west
Covering eastern hills from Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis most or all day, to mid-slopes or lower near to North Sea. Higher and more broken cloud west and southwest toward Skye and Torridon, at times clearing tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% east/north, to 50% near Skye.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun west coast, where visibility good below cloud, though some haze. Otherwise cloudy, poor visibility where in snow locally.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C inland, north and east, up to +1C coastal tops around Skye. Directly in the wind feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
500-600m in east & northern areas, higher toward Wester Ross and Skye, 800m or above on some coastal mountains.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly, speed may vary, possibly tending to lessen during day, in range 30 to 50mph, very gusty in west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions may persist over much higher terrain, buffeting gusts lower down. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Intermittent hill snow northeast
Snow flurries mostly east and northernmost areas, sleet or rain lower elevations. Small amounts or often dry Wester Ross to Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks west
Often covering many high tops, lowest cloud base eastern areas from Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis. Some breaks higher up near to western coasts, Skye to Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly west coastal areas where visibility good. Hazier north/east, poorer in snow/rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C, but locally up to +1C some west coast higher terrain, including Skye. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m or slightly lower in some northeastern areas, but nearer 800m further west, locally higher west coast.
Planning Outlook
East to southeasterlies continue through the weekend and onward into next week, frequently strong to gale-force over the mountains, giving severe chill factor. Below freezing across high terrain in Scotland, and into early next week a lowering freezing level over hills in England and Wales. Frequent or persistent snowfall over east and southern Scottish mountains, rain on lower slopes causing flooding in the short term. Patchier and small amounts reaching coastal regions in west-northwest Scotland. Areas of rain and increasingly hill snow push across England and Wales as low pressure remains dominant. Low cloud often covering many hills.