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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of 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.
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 19th January 2026
Last updated
Sun 18th Jan 26 at
4:17PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain near the west coast of Scotland, largely dry inland, but low cloud covering southern Highlands widely, higher and more broken cloud northward. Rain or drizzle and blanket fog over the Pennines, drier for Lakes and Wales, with best cloud breaks northern areas. Southerly winds strongest N/W Scotland, gusty.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, near-gales. A little rain, low cloud west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 30mph, up to 40mph Cuillin and nearby mainland, particularly gusty downslopes to north; easing a little from south up to dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking, on exposed ridges balance more challenging in west. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain or high-level snow, mostly Skye
Patchy areas of rain, or snow flurries mostly on higher terrain, most frequent near coast around Skye. Small amounts inland, largely dry toward the far north.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but often clear northwest
Banks of low cloud most persistent around Skye, lowest on southern Cuillin often to mid-slopes. Patches likely to drift over hills elsewhere, but more often clearer near/north of Ullapool.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% Skye, to 60% near NW coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly in far north. Visibility good away from cloud, poorer on Skye if damp.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, small change with height inland. Feeling like -12C where exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Also slight frost inland glens early morning.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 20th January 2026
Last updated
Sun 18th Jan 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25 to 35mph, tending to strengthen around Skye, very gusty in places including downslope to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking and making balance challenging on exposed ridges, particularly Skye; marked wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain, snow on tops
Patchy areas of rain moving northwards, snow falling mostly above 800-900m. Small amounts most western areas north of Torridon.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, better northwest
Banks of cloud persistent over hills inland, toward east and the Great Glen, often above 800m, some patchy lower banks. Best breaks near to coasts Ullapool north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun mostly northwest coastal areas. Visibility good toward north/northwest, hazier around Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C. Wind chill feeling near -10C.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, higher northwards. Patchy slight frost some lower slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Last updated
Sun 18th Jan 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 40 to 50mph, in places 60mph, powerful gusts downslope to some lower terrain in the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions widely, walking difficult in exposure on high terrain. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most frequent eastern hills
Rain mostly over eastern areas, snow falling above 800m. Intermittent rain extending westwards, but small amounts much of the west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent east, breaks west coast
Often covering eastern hills from Ben Hope to Ben Wyvis, from some mid-slopes up; patchier cloud westwards, but capping tops on and off at least; clearer near Torridon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun mostly near west coast, where visibility very good, reduced around rain further east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, highest near west coast. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C where exposed on higher areas.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, but likely just above freezing to higher tops near west coast.
Planning Outlook
South to southeasterly winds prevail during the week ahead, widely strengthening to become persistently windy, gales over mountains with powerful gusts. Mountains near to freezing point in Scotland, typically just above freezing to high tops in England and Wales for a few days. A slowly circulating weather system will bring areas of rain and high-level snow, becoming more persistent as the week progresses, cloud covering most hills; generally driest and clearest in northwest Scotland. Colder air trying to move in from the east into later January, leaving most mountain terrain frozen in the longer range.