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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 14th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Dec 25 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive rain, sustained heavy falls over many western mountains, expect flooding. Smaller amounts of rain toward the N/E Cairngorms, also S/E Wales and Peak District. Widespread gales, powerful gusts around high tops, locally downslope to east. Blanket cloud across hills, lowest in west.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Gales, severe high terrain. Wettest around Skye, drier N/E.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-55mph, at times 60mph, local powerful gusts downslope. Tending to strengthen up to dusk, risk 70mph on/near Skye for a time. Easing later in evening to 30mph, or less for a time into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions over the mountains. Strong gusty winds will challenge balance and stability all day, including less exposed slopes. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most persistent Skye & Wester Ross, occasional north/east
Frequent rain Skye and nearby with persistent falls drifting inland and northward. At times falling heavier, and mainly later in day into evening merging into a more widespread area of rain. Least rain Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope, sometimes drier or only spots. Streams in spate, expect flooding especially west.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering most high tops, lowest coasts toward Skye
Shrouding high tops along the coast from Skye towards Ullapool, southern inland hills as well. Variable bases, 600-900m, lowest on Skye. Higher bases Ben Wyvis to Loch Broom northward, some local breaks to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% around Skye, to 30% north inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun, glimpses Sutherland, but often dull on southern coastal hills. Visibility mostly poor Skye and Wester Ross, local improvements inland north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, to local 7C north/east; then lowering rapidly into night to 0 or 1C. Feeling like -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but after dark into late evening a quick drop to 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 15th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Dec 25 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some uncertainty, speed may vary; southwesterly 25 to 40mph, likely strongest over west coast mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Winds uncomfortable or strenuous walking in exposure with a chilly feel, but may also be fairly small for periods.
How Wet?
Some west coast showers
Showers mostly near the west coast, most frequent on Skye to coastal Wester Ross, some heavier with possible hail, snow above 800-900m. More scattered inland, often dry toward north and east.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain west, clear periods
Variable banks on west coast slopes, 600-900m, most frequent Skye/Kintail with few higher breaks; well-broken inland with higher bases, many Munros often clear. Increasingly frequent south, more widely along the west coast later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine for most, except around Skye, more extensive northward, some high cloud. Very good visibility, reduced in showers west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C. Feelings as cold as -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Dec 25 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 40mph. Strengthening onward into night to gales, risk becoming severe.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking over higher terrain, affecting balance on exposed ridges, considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery west coast, snow and hail
Showers most frequent toward coasts and on islands, falling as snow above 800-900m, also hail at times. Some moving inland over Wester Ross, but fewer showers further eastward.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent over west coast tops
Often capping western tops, base varying in and out of showers, mostly 700 to 900m, brief lower patches on coastal slopes. Breaks at times higher up, more common further inland and eastward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility often very good out of cloud, but intermittently poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Slight frost inland glens in morning.
Planning Outlook
Prolonged rain will leave flooding of streams and rivers in many mountain areas early in the new week, with the exception of northeastern Scotland. A frontal system will eventually pass eastwards Monday-Tuesday, wind easing; dropping to freezing above 900m, beware of ice forming on higher Scottish mountains. Drier conditions for many on Tuesday, though showery near west coast of Scotland. By Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. A risk of more heavy rain particularly England and Wales later in the week. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, possibly chillier with time.