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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 17th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 16th Nov 25 at
3:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold everywhere, staying sub-zero over high terrain, plus some frost lower down in morning; considerable chill factor if exposed to wind, but speeds tending to lessen all areas. Largely dry, local snow flurries moving in northern Scotland. Some patchy cloud mostly northern half of the Highlands, sunnier elsewhere.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Moderate breeze. Patchy cloud, some snow flurries.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph, stronger gusts north and east hills. An easing trend from the west later in daytime. Starting to increase southwesterly mainly areas near Skye into the night, 25-30mph for periods.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect comfortable walking on some slopes; significant wind chill in exposure. Lessening into afternoon.
How Wet?
Scattered snow flurries north
Occasional snow flurries or brief showers move onto hills near the north and west coasts (mostly north of Ullapool) - snow falling toward lower slopes, tending to fade afternoon. Substantially dry toward Great Glen and Ben Wyvis. Well into night, snow develops from west, sleet or rain on lower coastal slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Coming and going on high terrain
Cloud comes and goes around 900m or up throughout the day - well inland southern areas will see extended breaks. Coastal aspects towards the north may be more often shrouded.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% coastal tops, 60% inland tops
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy north and west, sun more common toward Great Glen. Mostly excellent visibility, but reducing briefly to poor if in snow showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C (to -5C on highest tops). Feeling as cold as -13C in strongest wind on high tops.
Freezing Level
500-600m, slightly higher Skye. Frost many inland glens in morning where skies are clear from overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 16th Nov 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Uncertain detail: trending northeasterly and rising through the day to reach 30-40mph, risk stronger south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Effects may be fairly small at times but beware sudden strengthening speeds and direction changes.
How Wet?
Near-constant snow
Snow likely widespread from morning well into the day - falling as rain on lower slopes. A few breaks may form but with sudden returns to snow as well.
Cloud on the hills?
Likely extensive, some variability
Most hills shrouded above 500-600m all day, perhaps filling in to lower slopes during heaviest snowfalls. Bases may locally rise with breaks towards high terrain later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast with near-zero visibility during periods of snow which may be extensive and prolonged. Small chance of bright breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C at dawn, warmest south and possibly a degree warmer for a time. Perhaps lowering afternoon to -4C.
Freezing Level
Inland terrain likely widely frozen at dawn. Coming up to 600m coastal slopes, perhaps higher on Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 16th Nov 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph, squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often challenging walking conditions on exposed terrain, severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent heavy snow, hail
Succession of heavy snow and hail showers coming in from north, giving near-constant snow northern mountains and frequent down west coast to Skye; chance isolated lightning. Drier near Great Glen. Snow lying to lower slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Cloud base constantly changing, but often shrouding north-facing mountains above 600-800m, some lower shafts of cloud in showers. Brief breaks higher up mostly Kintail to Great Glen.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly inland. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen from glens upward, freezing level lifting up to 400-500m near coast and on islands.
Planning Outlook
A cold week ahead, staying below freezing across all mountains, much terrain will be frozen from valleys upward. An area of low pressure and associated fronts will pass southeastward during Tuesday, bringing some persistent snowfalls, including to lower slopes particularly inland across the Highlands, some substantial accumulations over higher terrain. Strong to gale force northerlies Wednesday-Thursday, bringing snow and hail showers focused on northern Scotland and onto north-facing coastal districts elsewhere. By Friday into next weekend, winds shift back westerly and freezing levels rise to upper slopes - some rain likely, snow on high tops at times.