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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required
Snow cover over the mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required
Snow cover over the mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Wednesday 5th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly westerly winds, strongest in northern Scotland, gale-force on higher mountains. Showers of snow and hail mostly over western Scotland in the morning will tend to fade with time. Patchy cloud across many western tops, some breaks forming.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Windy, gales high tops. Snow & hail showers fading.
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 35 to 50mph; strongest northern areas, sudden gusts not just on highest terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking across most hills, buffeting affecting balance on ridges and to east of summits. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow and hail mostly morning
Showers of snow and hail frequent over western mountains in the morning; chance isolated lightning at first. Intensity of showers easing, but snow flurries continue in west, turning drizzly up to 800m. Often dry eastern hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Most frequent on western tops
Varying cloud bases will come and go over higher slopes in the morning, most frequently capping west coastal hills above 800m. Breaks more frequent with time, best further inland and east into afternoon, to some higher slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun. Slight haze, but visibility becoming increasingly good as showers fade.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
600-700m, plus frost in some glens from dawn, rising slowly just above freezing point to 900m or locally higher. Some icy surfaces, plus fresh covering of snow.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Thursday 6th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
S-SW'ly 30-45mph, some powerful gusts downslope; strongest wind on mountains near west coast, risk gusts 50-55mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking and balance over exposed terrain, more difficult toward west; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Patches may drift onto southern Cuillin and nearby coastal slopes on the mainland, but most mountains likely clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally sunny, some thin high cloud. Visibility very good, but a haze some lower slopes, particularly toward west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, but some slopes rising near 5C, particularly areas toward north/east. Wind chill feeling like -7 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Partly frozen terrain, including frost sheltered glens early morning. Gradual thawing at most elevations in the sun.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 7th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 20mph, to in places gusty 35mph around some west coastal mountains, may be confined to Skye.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but occasional gusty areas may affect comfortable walking, more likely Cuillin, giving marked wind chill.
How Wet?
No precipitation
Cloud on the hills?
Widely clear
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, small change with height, locally up to 5C some northern areas. Wind chill in places feeling -7 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Generally above freezing point across the hills, but some partly-frozen terrain on both higher & lower slopes. Frost inland glens.
Planning Outlook
High pressure builds and becomes centred around Scandinavia in the extended outlook into next week. A chilly east to southeasterly pattern is likely to prevail into mid-February. Some lulls, but periods of gusty winds will give significant wind chill. Often extensively dry, but occasional snow flurries mainly over England & Wales, occasionally also eastern Scotland. Variable amounts of cloud, although the west and especially northwest Highlands often clear and sunny. Some mountains above freezing later this week, but from the weekend, generally sub-zero across all mountains - a sustained period of freeze from many lower slopes upward. Frost common into the valleys.