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.)
Sunday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
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
Sunday 18th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 17th Jan 26 at
3:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cloudy and damp air over many hills, more persistent rain and drizzle develops over northern England and east Wales. Clearer toward north-northwest Scotland. Near or below freezing on Scottish mountains. South to southeasterly winds, gusty in places; strongest toward Skye.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Strongest wind west. Patchy cloud, clearer northwest coasts.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 25 to 35mph, strongest west, at times 40mph Skye, suddenly gusty on some downslopes to the north of high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance on tops, more challenging in places on Cuillin. Varied lower down, but in places very blustery. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Largely dry, possible showers Skye
Most places dry all day. Occasional light rain spots around Skye, possibly some showery rain coming in from south afternoon, snow falling mainly over highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy cloud, clearer northwestern hills
Some fog banks glens and lower slopes, fragments of cloud around some upper slopes, but many western tops north of Torridon often clear. Cloud banks more common on higher slopes on Skye, lowest southern Cuillin.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, but 30% Cuillin.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best in north/northwest coastal areas where visibility very good. Hazy or misty toward south Cuillin. Some fog in eastern glens.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C inland, up to +1C some west and northwest coastal areas. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Inland near or just below freezing from many glens upward, but near W/NW coast typically above freezing up to 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 19th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 17th Jan 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 30mph, up to 40mph Cuillin and nearby mainland, particularly gusty downslopes to north.
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 snow
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. 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
Sat 17th Jan 26 at
3:30PM
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 some hills, 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 or 1C. Wind chill feeling near -10C.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Patchy slight frost some lower slopes.
Planning Outlook
South to southeasterly winds prevail into the new week, trending more easterly in Scotland, widely strengthening to become persistently windy, gales over mountains with powerful gusts. Mountains staying near to freezing point in Scotland, typically just above freezing to high tops in England and Wales for a few days. Initially weak fronts try to push in from the west bringing occasional rain and high-level snow, then some more persistent falls later in the week; generally driest in northwest Scotland. Colder air trying to move in from the east into later January, leaving most mountain terrain frozen in the longer range.