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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
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
Sunday 19th January 2025
Last updated
Sat 18th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Banks of low cloud over the southern Highlands and up the west coast to Skye, some patchy coastal drizzle. Many higher Scottish tops poking out above the cloud sheet. The northern Highlands sunnier. England & Wales sees fairly extensive low cloud, with only highest tops possibly poking just above cloud. Wind fairly light.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Skye gusty, some drizzle, low cloud. Elsewhere mostly sunny.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15-25mph. Up to 35mph near Skye. Some regions relatively calm in the far north away from west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking starting to be impeded, balance and stability affected close to Skye.
How Wet?
Drizzle spells on Skye; northern coast later
Drizzly spells on south-facing slopes of Skye. Some fine drizzle spells possible along coastal hills north of Skye towards Loch Broom later where in cloud. Dry inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Low fog/cloud banks, clear higher
Persistent fog/low clouds on south-facing slopes near Skye. Fog will likely linger in inland valleys and glens protected from wind, reaching up to 800m. Widely clear above here.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%, 20% Skye
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely sunny above fog/cloud banks, occasional mid- or high-level clouds. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C near Skye, 4C northward. Feeling a few degrees warmer on sunny mountain tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but some partly frozen terrain with frost both on lower and some higher slopes - thawing in sunshine.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 20th January 2025
Last updated
Sat 18th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 30-35mph. Windiest in the far north, up to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded, sometimes strenuous. Highest winds affecting balance. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rainy west coast, some spells inland
Regular spells of rain on the west coast. Occasional bands of light rain may slip eastward across most areas. May fall as sleet on very highest summits.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloudy west, frequent clearing east
Mountains along the west coast regularly shrouded to highest tops. Occasional moments of clearing inland, clearest east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% west coast, 60% inland/east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun away from the west coast. Visibility poor on the coast, good inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, some warmer patches on hills near Loch Shin. Feeling like -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above freezing on highest summits
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Last updated
Sat 18th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest 20-30mph. Moments of higher winds up to 35mph south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill. Stability starting to be affected, challenging on higher ground. Strenuous walking in highest winds.
How Wet?
Drizzle/sleet west, isolated spells inland
Drizzly spells through most of the day on western hills, falling as frozen rain or snow above 900m. Drier to the east, though isolated sleet spells possible.
Cloud on the hills?
Mountains shrouded, lower during showers
Most mountains shrouded, bases near 700m during showery spells. Less low cloud in eastern areas, some clear mountains possible.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, 50% east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of sun in the east, though higher clouds may obscure. Poor visibility along the coast, better east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -10C with wind chill.
Freezing Level
900-1000m. Above the summits in far north.
Planning Outlook
Gradually lowering pressure and falling temperature during the days ahead - mountain tops dropping sub-zero widely into midweek. Some areas of precipitation, most frequent in western Scotland early in the new week, falling as snow over higher terrain, although total amounts generally small. Blustery over some higher slopes with marked wind chill, but speeds relatively light for many into midweek. Winds are likely to strengthen toward next weekend as deeper areas of low pressure over the Atlantic approach. Late January is likely to see more frequent precipitation and periods of gales or possibly stormy winds at times; fluctuating temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles.