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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 21st February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions over the mountains, storm-force winds most of daylight. Wet all day most areas, heaviest rain on south-facing hill groups, risk of local flooding. Least rain toward far north of the Highlands. Cloud shrouding the hills widely. Well above freezing with an ongoing thaw.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Stormy upland winds. Heaviest rain around Skye.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 60-80mph for most of daylight. Top speeds lessen evening into night, but gales continue, likely re-strengthen again for a few hours during night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility very difficult on mountains; walking challenging even on mid to lower slopes in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Very wet Skye, drier towards northeast
Rain fairly persistent near Skye, heavy at times; very wet underfoot. Rain on and off elsewhere, but drier northward across Sutherland.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent Skye, some higher bases north
Cloud down to lowest slopes on Skye and west coast hills up to Torridon; bases lifting a little to mid heights into afternoon. Higher cloud bases north and east but most high terrain stays shrouded.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10% Skye; 30% far north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Mostly poor visibility, very poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 7C most of the day. Cooling in the afternoon towards 4C. Feeling as cold as -12C in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 22nd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35-45mph. Highest winds always in the northwest, up to 55mph mostly early morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous, at times arduous. You may be blown over in highest gusts in north. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
West coast showers
Fairly persistent rain onto Skye. Occasional light showers elsewhere on west coast mountains, sleet or snow above 1000m. Often dry further north and east.
Cloud on the hills?
Foggy Skye, patchy or clearing north/east
Cloud banks quite persistent Skye and Torridon, bases often near 700m. More patchy along the west coast, intermittently clear east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy or intermittent sun, best near Great Glen. Good visibility out of rain, excellent east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C. Feeling like -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Near or just above highest summits (1200m).
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 23rd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 60 to 80mph, up to 90mph at least in gusts for periods on higher mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions: mobility challenging even at mid-elevations, frequently knocking you off your feet where exposed.
How Wet?
Heavy rain then frequent showers
Heavy rain setting in before dawn, lasting much of the morning, briefly wet snow on high tops. By middle of day, clusters of showers, frequent rain on western mountains, may set in again; back to snow on high tops into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest morning
Shrouding the mountains all day, lowest cloud bases in the morning, rising toward upper slopes by afternoon, but varied in and out of rain, local breaks possible across Sutherland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast morning, then some glimpses of sun forming, mainly north & east afternoon. Hazy, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C. Feeling like -15C or below due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
Near higher summits above 1000m briefly, but mostly above all summits all day. Into night starting to lower back to 1000m.
Planning Outlook
All terrain will have thawed by the weekend; very wet underfoot with several spells of heavy rainfall, highest totals on south & southwest-facing hills bringing local flooding. A relative improvement on Saturday for many places, but remaining windy, up to gale-force higher northern Scottish tops - rain still frequent around Skye. Deteriorating again into Sunday with further storm-force mountain winds. Chillier westerly winds prevail next week, a return to mostly sub-freezing conditions over Scottish Munros, whilst lower Scottish hills plus mountains in England & Wales will see some freeze and thaw. Showery conditions with hail and upland snow, mixed with occasionally more widespread precipitation.