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.)
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 24th January 2021
Last updated
Saturday 23rd January 2021 at
2:19 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scotland: Scattering of snow showers in the west, mainly coastal hills, but for most areas dry, cold and mostly sunny. Towards dusk, risk of zone of more persistent snow moving inland from west coast. England and Wales: Areas of snow across Wales will gradually ease away in afternoon. Mostly fine elsewhere with little wind.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Snow showers, focused west coast. Later more widely inland. Cloud varying.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 10 to 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Snow showers, focussed on west coast.
Scattered snow or hail showers, focused on western coastal hills, but occasionally extending inland. Towards dusk, risk of clusters of snow showers moving inland to give constant snow for an hour or two.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, breaks inland; extensive in snow.
Cloud varied - often only fragments on higher slopes, with good breaks; these substantial across eastern areas. However, around showers, forming extensively and quickly below 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% near west coast, 70% elsewhere.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun and very clear air. Visibility abruptly appalling if in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen. Partial thawing to 400m on hills nearest west coast.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 25th January 2021
Last updated
Saturday 23rd January 2021 at
2:19 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15 to 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but marked wind chill in exposure on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Snow or hail mostly near west coast
Snow and hail showers most common on west coastal hills and perhaps locally toward the far north. A few flurries or brief showers moving inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering some tops
Cloud banks covering some higher slopes for several hours, most persistent west coastal areas where fairly extensive on higher summits, lowering in precipitation.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun. Very clear air. Visibility poor around showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C
Freezing Level
As high as 400-500m on/near Skye, otherwise terrain staying at least part-frozen into glens following a hard frost.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 26th January 2021
Last updated
Saturday 23rd January 2021 at
2:19 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 15-20mph at dawn, will then drop out for a time, before becoming southerly 15 to 20mph in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but considerable wind chill at first.
How Wet?
Dry for much of day, risk snow after dusk.
Dry of much of the day, but risk of snow setting in after dusk from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clear, later extensive if snow arrives.
Hills mostly clear, bar a few ragged patches some tops and here and there on lower slopes too. However, becoming extensive later should snow develop.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Periods of sunshine from dawn, but cloud increasing from the west through the day. Visibility excellent, but later very poor should snow develop.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C
Freezing Level
Most terrain staying at least part-frozen into glens following a hard frost.
Planning Outlook
Staying cold into early next week. Mountain terrain widely frozen with snow cover. Overnight frosts into valleys, most significant into Highland glens. Fronts will encroach from the southwest by Tuesday, bringing potentially extensive snowfalls. Temperatures then tending to rise midweek, resulting in freeze and thaw cycles - thawing most marked in Wales, perhaps also northern England, but likely short-lived thawing on the Munros. Wind varied, occasionally up to gale force.