West Highlands
Western Highlands accessible from, and south of, Glenfinnan (Road to the Isles) and Glen Spean (includes Creag Meagaidh). This area includes Ben Nevis and the mountains around Glencoe. In the east, from Ben Alder south to Loch Lomond and Trossachs NP. Also Arran and Mull.
Tuesday'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.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Mild
Air temperature above freezing to highest summits. May feel pleasantly warm on lower ground, but take appropriate layers. Feeling chilly if exposed to wind.
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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.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Mild
Air temperature above freezing to highest summits. May feel pleasantly warm on lower ground, but take appropriate layers. Feeling chilly if exposed to wind.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 30th April 2024
Last updated
Mon 29th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Brisk southeasterly winds, up to gale force some tops; strengthening across the Highlands. A belt of rain draped across west coast of Scotland south from Skye, also affecting Galloway, and fairly persistent rain for west and south Wales. Drier further east and north with hazy sunshine. Fairly mild air.
Headline for West Highlands
Windy, increasingly gales coastal hills. Intermittent rain, low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30mph, but 35 to at times 40mph near Clyde sea lochs, Jura and Mull, gusts over 50mph in places near coast, especially afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly arduous on higher areas, especially coastal areas, becoming difficult in places. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain; least wet toward north
Intermittently dry, particularly near and north of Glen Spean, Lochs Treig and Ossian. Elsewhere, rain on and off throughout the day - most persistent on hills near Clyde sea lochs.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive southern areas, higher north
Generally extensive above 750 to 900m, highest cloud bases Lochaber, best breaks toward north of Ben Nevis range. Most extensive Arran to Mull, also Kintyre, patches below 500m at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% southwest, to 70% north Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly Lochaber, through layers of high level cloud. Good visibility although a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C rising to 6C or a little higher in Lochaber. Will feel like -5 to -8C in stronger winds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 1st May 2024
Last updated
Mon 29th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly between 10 and 20mph: generally strongest in the morning and toward Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
A little rain here and there
Rain and drizzle on and off before dawn will continue into the day in some areas, but through morning nearly all fizzle out. Scattered heavier showers afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
All or nearly all clearing
Extensive cloud across the hills from dawn: very varied cloud base, in places (most likely Arran and Loch Lomond NP) covering lowest slopes. Slowly the cloud will break up; by mid afternoon, nearly all summits cloud free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud layers gradually thinning and breaking to give a patchwork of sun; sunniest toward the coast. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising toward 10C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 2nd May 2024
Last updated
Mon 29th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 25mph to suddenly gusty 40-50mph around some mountains, powerful gusts in passes and downslope to west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Locally very varied, but expect sudden buffeting making walking arduous in places not just on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely
Most likely dry, small chance a shower.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Banks of cloud clinging to some slopes at times, greatest risk around Loch Lomond NP, but many areas largely clear all day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun and thin high cloud. Very good visibility, but slight haze toward central belt.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C to locally above 10C. Feeling close to freezing directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
High pressure to the north and a slow-moving area of low pressure circulating to the south during midweek. Scattered showers possible for the Highlands, but a lot of dry weather - warmest and clearest in the west. Powerful easterly winds will be very gusty by Thursday into early Friday, especially southern Scotland and northern England, then easing. A front brings a risk of persistent rain for Wales on Thursday. Slow-moving weather patterns are likely to continue onward into the Bank Holiday weekend, giving considerable uncertainty of local day-to-day detail, but most likely the wind often light and fairly warm overall. A good amount of dry and bright weather, but risk of locally thundery showers forming.