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.
Heavy snow
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be 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.
Heavy snow
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 6th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Intermittent snowfall to lower slopes pushes widely eastwards, increasingly more prolonged and heavier snow from the west across the Highlands, though near the west coast becoming sleet or rain to mid-heights. Hill snow and rain lower down setting in for England and Wales from the west afternoon. Wind varied, but tending to strengthen.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Heavy snow setting in. Varied but increasing wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Changeable: west-southwesterly 20-35mph, trending northerly afternoon and rising, up to 40mph on high exposed tops, by evening 50-60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Variable conditions, walking often strenuous with significant wind chill, though some periods of lighter wind possible.
How Wet?
Snow increasingly heavy by late morning, showery later in day.
Patchy snow soon becomes widespread for most of daylight, heavy sustained snowfall widely. Increasingly falling as sleet to middle slopes of Skye and the west coast for a time. Breaking back into showers late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud shrouds the hills to middle or lower slopes for most or all of daylight. Some breaks forming in the north around and after dusk as snow turns showery.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine unlikely. Appalling visibility, whiteout conditions soon widespread and persistent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -4C, some variability; trending colder into nighttime. Feeling as cold as -18C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen from overnight, lifting briefly, up to 800m near Skye, then lowering back to 400-600m afternoon west coast. Unlikely above 300-400m inland.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 7th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwest then westerly, 30mph or risk stronger up to dawn, easing to 15mph, or less afternoon; then increasing into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for marked wind chill on exposed high terrain, risk more blustery at first, becoming smaller during day.
How Wet?
Local snow showers
Snow showers or flurries mostly coastal areas and toward north, tending to fade. Into night, risk patchy snow developing mainly around Skye, turning to sleet.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy cloud
Varied cloud banks in the morning, mainly higher western slopes. Tending to break up into patches and clear some tops inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mix of cloud and sun. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, up to -1C near west coast. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind early in day.
Freezing Level
Near/below freezing glens upward inland; up to 500m near west coast and on Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 8th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction and speed likely to vary: mostly south or southwesterly, 10 to 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small.
How Wet?
Patchy light snow
Occasional snow flurries, mostly western areas, sleet or rain lower coastal slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud mostly higher areas
Patchy cloud around upper slopes and corries, most common toward west coast. Some mist lower down inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some glimpses of sun. Visibility very good where dry, reducing in showers. Beware difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, up to -1C Skye and nearest coast.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen and snow covered, some glens stay sub-zero. In places just above freezing to 400m, mostly coasts.
Planning Outlook
Freezing conditions persist this week - some changes by the weekend as Atlantic lows try to circulate further northwards, bringing a period of thawing mainly to England and particularly Wales, whilst Scottish mountains may see brief if any periods of above-freezing conditions even onward into mid-month. Complex weather systems, with potentially a deep low moving across southern Britain by Thursday-early Friday this week which may bring some snowfalls to Wales and the southern Pennines. Often lighter winds in Scotland for a few days, but another low may track further north later in weekend bringing widespread gales, and mostly rain to England and Wales, snow and lowland rain to Scotland.