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.
Today's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 3rd October 2025
Last updated
Thu 2nd Oct 25 at
4:08PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Mostly dry conditions early with modest wind effects, deteriorating as Storm Amy arrives. Winds reach gale-force around midday, further deteriorating through afternoon, reaching hurricane-force over high Scotland tops later. Rain becomes widespread with sustained heavy falls on western mountains; local flooding is likely.
Headline for West Highlands
Moderate conditions deteriorate to heavy rain and violent wind
How windy? (On the Munros)
Overnight gales S-SW'ly easing to dawn; 20-30mph through morning, possibly briefly lighter. After midday, shifting southeasterly and rapidly rising to 50-60mph, returning southwesterly and rising further to 70-90mph into nighttime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Rapidly changing conditions: fairly benign for several hours in the morning, then significant deterioration through afternoon. Any mobility will be difficult by evening.
How Wet?
Morning showers, locally dry; heavy rain sets in
Overnight rain easing to showers early morning, becoming drier for a few hours, particularly on southern islands. Rain developing quickly from the southwest after midday, setting in widely heavy until dark. Very wet underfoot, streams in spate or flood.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to some tops for a time inland, then extensive
Varied cloud banks over the hills from dawn, most extensive and lowest banks near coastal areas. Some breaks forming to upper slopes, best inland Lochaber. Lowering and becoming extensive as rain develops, lowest bases Mull to Arran and near Trossachs.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, 40% inland Lochaber for a time; becoming practically nil.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun through high cloud, possibly more frequent for a time well inland, then becoming overcast through afternoon. Visibility excellent before rain arrives, becoming very poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C. Briefly rising to 8C later in the day, up to 10C from Islay to Arran. Feeling increasingly cool as winds rise, near -10C afternoon, then colder into night.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 4th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 2nd Oct 25 at
4:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 60 to 80mph, gusts likely 90mph particularly higher Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions, difficult mobility on hills from lower elevations upward. Damaging gusts possible on low ground.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Persistent heavy rain from before dawn, rain remaining frequent to near-constant all day, but tending to break up well inland, more showery at times. Falling as sleet or wet snow highest tops. Expect flooding.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud base varying, but covering most mountains throughout the day, lowest sustained bases near coast and islands, 500-700m. Some breaks to 1000m inland. Some higher breaks more widely are possible late in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare sun until later where a few sunny bursts may break out on low slopes. General haze, poor visibility in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C. Wind chill making it feel like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
Close to higher summits, 1200-1300m or just above.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 5th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 2nd Oct 25 at
4:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 40-50mph, trending westerly as the day goes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions through the day. Crouching may be necessary in exposure. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain much of the day
Rain on and off from the west - often drizzly in cloud over high tops. Rain increases in frequency and intensity through afternoon, setting in later for several hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Fairly extensive above 800-900m at dawn, though some higher breaks towards central highlands for a time. Cloud soon sets in extensively down to middle slopes with banks down to coastal cliff edges.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% well inland for a time
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun inland at first, becoming overcast. Visibility soon turns poor in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C at dawn, warmest along southern coastal islands. Rising to 6C widely. Feeling like -8C in exposure.
Freezing Level
May just touch the highest summits at dawn, soon lifting above.
Planning Outlook
Storm Amy clears to the northeast on Saturday, behind which temperatures drop much cooler, to freezing on higher Scottish summits. Showery and windy conditions prevail through the day easing only gradually into Sunday as another mild and humid westerly brings cloud and drizzle to high tops and western slopes. Changeable westerlies continue into the week with frontal boundaries in northern England and Scotland: frequent rain and cloud on western mountains, rain at times passing eastward. Rain and cloud slip south through England and Wales around midweek, though weakening as it goes. Early indications of several days of northerly winds late in the week, which will bring cool, showery conditions to many with a mix of sunny and rainy spells with snow on northernmost tops.