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.
Friday'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. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C 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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 16th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Oct 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Bright sun and showers, mostly chilly temperatures. Showers cluster for steady falls and heavy bursts with hail, first in Scotland (snow on high Munros), then into England and Wales afternoon. Showers tend to scatter into evening, though sometimes returning to north parts of Scotland and Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Showers with hail, snow on tops, tending to scatter
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly soon shifting northwesterly, sustained 20-25mph, will vary and quite gusty, approaching up to 30mph. A gradual northerly shift.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small at times, but strongest gusts will begin to impact ease of walking.
How Wet?
Showers with hail, snow on high terrain
Showers fairly widely through morning, rather frequent, sometimes persistent with heavy bursts with hail mixed in; falling as snow above 1000m. Showers tend to scatter as afternoon goes, but a few showery bursts will return into evening, snow as low as 900m.
Cloud on the hills?
Tending to lift and break, lingering coastal Lochaber
Banks of cloud above 700-800m towards the coast, bases lowering in showers, as low as 500m. Higher and more broken inland, and generally lifting and breaking as the day goes, mostly just varied banks above 800-900m during showers, summit breaks when dry.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine break out between showers, sun increasing and perhaps mostly sunny later but cloud returns during showery bursts. Visibility very good out of showers but suddenly poor, very poor in snow on high terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, will lower slightly from the north afternoon into evening and overnight.
Freezing Level
1200-1300m, some patchy light frosts in sheltered inland glens around dawn. Freezing level may slightly lower but not dropping below 1100m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 17th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Oct 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Scattered patches on high terrain
Patches at varied heights to start, some mist in sheltered glens. Will lift and begin to dissipate after sunrise, to mostly just varied scattered patches on high terrain, not necessarily covering tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Very good visibility
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising a degree, or up to 4C south and west areas.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: around high summits, dawn frosts on sheltered low slopes/glens, thawing through morning.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 18th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 15th Oct 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 15-20mph, though variable and lower speeds possible.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Scattered patches on high terrain
Patchy mist in sheltered glens from dawn will soon begin to lift, breaking into scattered patches and dissipating in may areas. Some banks will cling to slopes in the range of 800-1100m, most cloud near and west of Loch Linnhe. High tops may be above cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sun for most. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, locally rising a degree; little change with added height. Feeling below 0C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but frosts in many glens/sheltered low slopes at dawn.
Planning Outlook
A window of more settled weather this weekend as a core of high pressure builds over Scotland. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings with ground frosts, some valley mist particularly in Scotland. Mostly sunny, though locally a little cloud lingering on some high slopes; an easterly breeze will keep the skies a touch cloudier in England and Wales, chance a little rain for England on Sunday with building cloud, though detail currently uncertain. The following week starts with some rain and wind in Wales, more settled to the north but with strengthening wind and building cloud as well. Forecast confidence is low into the week: a general trend towards unsettled conditions is indicated, soonest in the southeast. Scotland may stay largely dry into mid-week, northernmost areas clearest of cloud.