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
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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 13th March 2025
Last updated
Wed 12th Mar 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly northerly winds, strongest over the Pennines, here bringing a scattering of mostly brief showers with hail and hill snow. Local areas of snow showers in northern Scotland too. Otherwise, largely dry, only isolated flurries and some sun, typically best in the morning. Evening into night, some snow develops from north for Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Chilly wind. Snow showers mostly northern hills.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 15 to 20mph; gusty near precipitation, strongest most places into the afternoon, local 25mph north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but feeling more blustery from middle of day on many high tops, giving marked chill.
How Wet?
Occasional snow north & near west coast
Occasional snow, possible soft hail, mainly mountains from Ben Hope across Sutherland. One or two showers coastal Wester Ross and Skye. Largely dry further inland toward the Great Glen, brief flurries. During evening, some more frequent snow moving southwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent coasts, clear at times inland
Sutherland and coastal Wester Ross and Skye: Cloud patches to 500m in showers and frequent above 800m, though most higher tops occasionally clearing. Elsewhere: cloud rare below 600m and intermittently clearing to above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% near coast to 50% well inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent bright sun, mostly well inland. Brief bursts of sun coastal areas. Excellent visibility, but occasionally very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, rising to -1C inland areas. In the wind, feeling nearer -10C on higher tops and in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
500m, tending to rise slowly well inland. Frost many glens post dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 14th March 2025
Last updated
Wed 12th Mar 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeasterly 10-20mph. Some gustiness in the north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Snow showers, more frequent north
Brief showers with risk of hail come and go in northern areas, snow on higher terrain. Isolated brief showers south. Mostly rain below 500m.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy banks, often clear
Some fog in glens and corries in the morning. Patchy cloud banks come and go northern areas, bases down to 700m. Many clear spells, with higher bases and frequent clearing in southern areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Frequent sunshine, especially south. Excellent visibility, though moments of poor visibility in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, rising a degree or two. Little chance on northernmost mountains.
Freezing Level
Freezing temperatures and frost across all terrain at dawn. Rising to 700m, or 800m Skye.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 15th March 2025
Last updated
Wed 12th Mar 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 25mph, local 30mph northern mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked wind chill, feeling blustery in exposure over higher tops and ridges.
How Wet?
Local light rain, snow flurries tops
One or two light showers, with snow above 700m; mostly western mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable over western tops
Banks of cloud likely to drift over western mountains above 700 to 900m, base rising a little during the day, with some breaks. Often above 900m further inland and eastwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun in and out, mainly away from west coast. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0C or slightly higher afternoon. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500m rising to 900-1000m onward into afternoon. But also frost inland glens and sheltered lower slopes from dawn.
Planning Outlook
Staying cold through the weekend into the start of next week, with frost overnight to lower slopes and valleys, then during the daytimes the freezing level lifting onto higher slopes. Higher pressure expands across all areas from the north, bringing largely dry conditions and rare brief light showers. A largely fine weekend ahead with light winds, sunny spells, variable cloud, and very clear crisp air. Some showers may run into northern Scotland on stronger winds here. Next week, a gradual shift back to less cold southeasterlies, with some showery rain developing from midweek, possibly more widespread spells of rain and some hill snow later in the week.