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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 15th April 2025
Last updated
Mon 14th Apr 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy rain and hill snow across Scotland. Cloud lifting and breaking, returning in showers. Patchy rain into England as well with more cloud here in the morning. Local slow-moving showery bursts into afternoon. Rain becoming persistent in south Wales and reaching north, becoming windy too with risk of gales here.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Scattered showers, snow on Munros
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 20-25mph west coastal mountains, 10-15mph inland. Gradually shifting west, then northwesterly through the day, most areas settling near 15-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but locally blustery and feeling chilly around coastal mountains in the morning.
How Wet?
Localised showers
Scattered showers falling as snow on the Munros, briefly hail to lower elevations; mostly coastal hills near Skye in morning. Showers pushing into inland areas by afternoon, moving around slowly, risk locally heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable patches over higher areas
Patchy cloud banks around mid to upper slopes in the morning, lifting to higher tops with breaks forming. Returning and lowering during and just after showers, some lower bases around coastal slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun and thin high cloud, then patchy cloud building up more into afternoon. Visibility very good, reduced in showers, risk locally poor for a time.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, rising slightly through the day. Cooler temperatures return on coastal slopes as dusk approaches, near 1C.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m, or slightly higher away from showers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 16th April 2025
Last updated
Mon 14th Apr 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Uncertain forecast detail: Likely northerly 15-20mph, chance increasing to 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Most likely small, but beware of stronger chillier winds at least part of the day.
How Wet?
Showers, hill snow and hail
Details uncertain: Possibly just scattered showers with hill snow and hail. Small chance of an area of more persistent rain/hill snow moving in from the south with time, mostly affecting the east.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly patches on tops
Occasional cloud banks on upper slopes, more frequent in the north and east. If precipitation develops more widely, cloud becoming more extensive over hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, few glimpses of sun. Visibility often very good, but reducing where showers occur, chance more widely poor if hill snow sets in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to +1C. If stronger winds occur, chill factor feeling near to -10C.
Freezing Level
800 to 1100m, lowest in the morning and around precipitation.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 17th April 2025
Last updated
Mon 14th Apr 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
At dawn, westerly 15-25mph. Shifting southwesterly through the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, higher winds starting to affect comfortable walking.
How Wet?
Showers, developing inland afternoon
Sleet/snow showers will drift onto the Cuillin Ridge from the south, risk of hail. Substantially dry north and inland up to middle of day, but then a scattering of afternoon showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clear, banks over high tops later
Mountains mostly clear before afternoon. A few passing banks over high tops becoming more frequent later afternoon. High terrain mostly shrouded on Skye with bases frequently lowering to mid slopes in showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Skye, 70% mainland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some morning glimpses of sun but lots of high cloud around. Good visibility, very poor Skye in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, rising to 2C
Freezing Level
800-900m, rising towards 1200m through the afternoon. Some windward hills near Skye maintaining a lower freezing level.
Planning Outlook
A highly complex weather situation during this week as areas of low pressure circulate slowly near or across the British Isles. A mix of showers with hail and snow on hills, but at times a risk of more persistent and widespread rain and hill snow - particularly Wednesday, but a similar risk continues into the Easter period. Occasional windows of dry and clear conditions locally. Wind speeds very variable, often light, but beware periods of strengthening markedly to gale force over the hills. Temperatures generally cool, particularly compared to recent times, often near or below freezing on higher mountains.