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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Thursday 26th December 2024
Last updated
Wed 25th Dec 24 at
2:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A front extending across Scotland brings mostly light rain, or toward the north sleet and wet snow on Munros. The far north likely drier and clearer. Variable southwesterly winds, gusty in places, but locally low speeds through the Highlands. England & Wales mild with low cloud and a little drizzle in the west.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
A little rain, lowest cloud west; clearer north/east. Chilly wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20 to 25mph, up to 30-35mph northernmost areas in the morning. Tending to ease a little - around Skye to Great Glen may become variable 10-15mph or less afternoon onward.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery with considerable wind chill in the morning, locally more arduous for a time tops in far north. Becoming fairly small from the south during the day.
How Wet?
Rain patches southwest, drier north/east
Rain on and off Skye and nearby coastal mountains. Drizzly showers likely to come and go on most west-facing slopes. Sleet or snow above 800-900m in morning, turning wetter. Drier conditions on northeastern hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering many tops, clearing for periods in far north.
Bases at or near 700m, possibly lower during rain, most persistent Skye to Kintail; though occasionally rising. Far north may see periods where bases rise above the hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, to 50% in the north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast though the far north may see breaks in clouds allowing sunshine. Visibility poor in rain, good during drier periods.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to +1C. Wind chill feeling as cold as -10C in north.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, lowest in morning Skye to Wester Ross; tending to rise higher during the day near to Great Glen.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 27th December 2024
Last updated
Wed 25th Dec 24 at
2:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph, at times 40mph over exposed higher summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over higher terrain, affecting balance where exposed on ridges and summits; marked wind chill on tops.
How Wet?
Often raining western hills
Rain and drizzle most persistent over western mountains, later may become heavier around Skye. Patchier rain toward north and east.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest west
Covering hills around Skye and Torridon often from mid to lower slopes upward. Extensive up the west coast if rain persists widely. Higher bases further eastwards, but rarely above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, poor visibility in rain in west. Locally brighter eastwards, glimpses of sun and good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 4C. Feeling like -8C where exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
Near 1000m at dawn, but soon likely rising above all summits during day.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 28th December 2024
Last updated
Wed 25th Dec 24 at
2:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 30 to 50mph, strongest north; may vary during day, then likely to strengthen further into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting over higher terrain, arduous walking in places where exposed. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain and summit snow
Frequent rain in west, snow falling on the Munros, possible hail in heavier showers near west coast. Drier toward Moray Firth.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering western tops
Cloud base varying, but often capping tops above 800m, forming to 600m in rain. Some higher breaks mainly east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun mainly east. Visibility good when dry, but poor in showers, very poor if in snow on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling like -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing on highest summits, may drop to 1000m.
Planning Outlook
Mild southwesterlies for the rest of this week with little if any remaining lying snow on the mountains. Cooler by the weekend - near to freezing over the Munros on Saturday, then colder in northern Scotland by Sunday. A mix of rain and high-level snowfall (in Scotland), most frequent precipitation in western Scotland, heavy at times. Through the New Year period, generally unsettled with areas of low pressure bringing more widespread precipitation and spells of gales, but likely becoming colder for all with upland snow more widely.