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.)
Friday'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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
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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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 9th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 8th Jan 26 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy snowfall and low cloud over the eastern Highlands & N/E Pennines, little if any reaching western Scotland where hills will be clearer, some low-level fog. Extensive fresh snow cover for Wales and Peak District, residual flurries fade, but wind remains strong; showers with hail near west coast of Wales.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Light wind. Western mountains largely clear.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 5-10mph, little wind in western areas toward Skye, rare gusts. East-southeasterly in areas Ben Wyvis to Ben Hope, 10-15mph, occasional 20mph midday into afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Largely dry, possible snow flurries east
Showers near west coast and toward west of Skye may stay largely offshore. In afternoon, risk snow flurries moving in from east into areas from northern Great Glen to Caithness, sleet lower slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, some cloud banks east
Patchy cloud clinging to some upper slopes and corries, but often clear spells over many western mountains. Some lower cloud banks or possible fog into some glens in east, cloud may increasingly envelop Ben Wyvis area.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% west, to 50% easternmost hills
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any sun weak due to a veil of high cloud. Visibility excellent over many hills, some haze or mist inland glens; poorer in east if cloud rolls in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -3C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen into the glens, some slopes around 300-500m inland just above freezing point, or up to 700m coasts.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 10th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 8th Jan 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly or variable 20 to 30mph, gusty in places on some downslopes to the north of higher mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, starting to affect balance on some exposed ridges, locally buffeting gusts not just on tops; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, snow and hail
Showers most frequent near to west coasts, snow flurries pushing eastwards at times, to lower slopes inland, but near coast mostly rain below 500m, some hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches
Patchy cloud around some slopes and tops, mostly in west and where showers occur, may often cover some hills. Some mist possible lower slopes inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun. Visibility good away from showers; difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, nearer 0C coastal tops. Feeling like -10 to -13C if in gusty wind.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen inland; just above freezing around 300-500m, up to 600-700m near west coast and on Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 11th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 8th Jan 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, strengthening rapidly up to dawn, in range 45 to 60mph much of daytime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions with frequent buffeting and powerful gusts to some lower slopes, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow turning to rain
Snow and freezing rain soon sweeping in from the west - inland and east snow may fall to lower slopes for several hours. Increasingly turning to rain from the west, later toward higher levels more widely.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding most higher terrain all day, to lower slopes on Skye and south-facing coastal slopes. Higher bases inland and northwards, some breaks above tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and mostly dull. Visibility generally very poor, appalling if in cloud and blowing snow on hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 or +1C, small variation of temperature with height inland. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen to lower slopes inland from dawn, nearer 400-600m coasts; rising variably above freezing toward high tops.
Planning Outlook
Terrain stays widely frozen away from coastal slopes this weekend, fresh extensive snow for Wales and Peak District, whilst substantial snow remains across Scottish mountains. By Sunday, southerly winds strengthen to gales - as a frontal system approaches, snow then freezing rain is likely. A rise of freezing level from the southwest - thawing develops, rising just above freezing toward all higher slopes; in England and Wales much snow will thaw - here only occasionally near freezing on highest tops in the week ahead. In Scotland next week, higher mountains often near or below freezing at 800-1000m upward. A mix of rain and high-level snowfall, often windy through mid-month.