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.)
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 17th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Snow setting in for a time over the Munros in Scotland, staying sub-zero on high tops. Showery in the Southern Uplands. Windy with bursts of rain in north England, fading through afternoon as cloud lifts and breaks. Mostly dry with a brisk breeze south Pennines and Wales with frequent sunshine.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Showery rain/hill snow. Variable strong winds.
How windy? (On the Munros)
At dawn, northwesterly 25-35mph. Beware of sudden speed changes north up to 40mph briefly. In the south, shifting westerly to 15-20mph by noon, spreading to most areas through afternoon, always windiest north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Balance and stability affected through the morning; considerable buffeting and significant wind chill. Gradually easing to fairly small later afternoon.
How Wet?
Northern rain clears, followed by showers, snow on Munros
Morning rain and hill snow around Moray Firth and northern areas drifts away to the north by noon. Showers drift onto the west coast and inland through the afternoon, some frequent and heavy on and east of Skye.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Fairly extensive over high terrain at dawn, bases lowering to 700-800m in showers. Cloud will lift to mostly high terrain in the later afternoon, though still shrouded here.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun Mostly poor visibility, very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C to +1C Feeling as cold as -12C in morning wind.
Freezing Level
800-900m, rising to 1000m through the afternoon. Some windward hills on the west coast maintaining a lower freezing level.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 18th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 10-15mph. Increasing through later afternoon up to 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking starting to be impeded with stability challenges on exposed terrain. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain around Skye afternoon
Frequent rain setting in on Skye in the afternoon, some patchy spots inland.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain often covered
Cloud banks drifting around high terrain most of the day, bases lowering towards 800m in heaviest rain near Skye. Bases sometimes lifting toward highest tops or occasionally breaking.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
No sun expected. Visibility good away from rain, possible haze, poorer toward Skye.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C, rising slightly. Wind chill -5 to -8C, near -10C in places.
Freezing Level
900-100m at dawn. Gradually rising to near the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 19th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 10-20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Little rain expected
Chance of light rain Skye and surrounding areas at dawn soon clearing, though may be entirely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Early mist, passing banks over high tops
Misty glens and corries at dawn, dispersing. Passing cloud banks drift over terrain above 1000m here and there through the afternoon, mostly in the north. Staying clear Skye.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses or intermittent sun, best north. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C, nearer 2C Skye at dawn. Rising to 4C west coast, northern areas staying around 2C, chance lower.
Freezing Level
900m north of Ullapool at dawn, mostly above summits southward and Skye. Rising mostly above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Several cores of low pressure are circulating around the British Isles through the weekend and into next week. Western areas are likely to see rain with a few stray showers into the east. High pressure will briefly build in on Easter, settling the weather momentarily. Southern areas will see showers into early next week and low pressure will become dominant in the Atlantic, which may push several bands of rain eastward toward the British Isles, though details remain uncertain at this point. Temperatures will be near average or slightly cooler, depending on the position of low pressure.