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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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 such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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 such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 22nd December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Very severe conditions due to widespread storm force northwesterly winds across the mountains. Frequent snow showers will come in off the sea, extending well inland and in some areas merging to give almost constant snow and whiteout for a few hours.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Storm force upland wind. Frequent snow; whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 55 to 75mph; particularly gusty near precipitation. Generally least windy far north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking on lower slopes, whilst higher up severe wind chill and any mobility challenging, particularly near precipitation.
How Wet?
Frequent snow
At best showers, sometimes heavy and one after another; mostly rain in valleys. Sometimes the precipitation more or less constant over a few hours, giving whiteout.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive across the mountains; cloud base varying
Near precipitation cloud sometimes below 400m particularly near the coast, but breaks to 750m, perhaps fleeting breaks to higher tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, mainly well inland. Very varied visibility, appalling or near zero in snow/blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, slight rise through day. Will feel as cold as minus 20C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m; will rise marginally through daylight.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 23rd December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southwesterly; a lull to around 20mph after dawn, before strengthening toward 40mph afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small; but anticipate a change in afternoon to considerable wind chill and more strenuous walking.
How Wet?
Rain spreading inland
The odd snow shower morning. From midday (possibly just before near Skye): Rain, or temporarily snow or refrozen rain above 600m, spreading inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Deteriorating as cloud later envelops lower slopes, particularly near coast
Patches of cloud near the coast above 750m whilst well inland cloud may well lift off summits below 900 to 1100m. But anticipate deterioration in precipitation as cloud fills in across the hills, forming on lower slopes near the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% dropping afternoon from west to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility very good or excellent, but poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 to 2C afternoon. Will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m, through afternoon transitioning to above the summits, initially near the west coast,.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 24th December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 60mph; perhaps a little less strong near Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions where exposed on higher areas; severe wind chill and walking strenuous; balance/foot placement not easy.
How Wet?
Raining most of the day
Raining almost constantly, although on more eastern mountains south from Ben Wyvis the rain on and off and total rainfall small.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of cloud across even most lower slopes.
Cloud base widely below 200m near Skye and Wester Ross. Elsewhere, the cloud a little higher, but rarely above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Widely poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Will feel as cold as minus 9C where exposed to the wind
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A change in the weather pattern from Tuesday as high pressure progressively envelops Wales and England. Here (and also in S Scotland), extensively dry and the and progressively dropping, initially across Wales. Mild - although frost in valleys some nights. Still windy Scottish Highlands, here very mild with lying snow substantially melting. Rain frequent NW Highlands, and less so W Highlands. Further east little or no rain.