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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Tuesday 13th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Oct 26 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Heavy rain over England and Wales at dawn clears eastward, followed by showers, sun breaks, and cooler temperatures. Showers soon frequent west Scotland, clustering for sustained heavy rain/hail, sweeping east across Scotland afternoon. Widely windy, powerful gusts around rain.
Headline for West Highlands
Strong wind and showers, becoming frequent and heavy
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 35-45mph, some variability, chance briefly lighter, but also strengthening for a few afternoon hours as rain becomes frequent, gusting 55mph or higher.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking much of the day in exposure, and forward progress may become challenging for a few afternoon hours with gusts knocking you off balance. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Showers, persistent heavy falls with hail
Heavy overnight rain sweeps away eastward by dawn, but leaves a legacy of showers. Bursts of rain cluster to become frequent, and likely several hours of constant heavy falls with hail with a risk of local thunder, later snow highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Changing rapidly, extensive in rain
Varied cloud banks from dawn, but for a few hours may break well toward upper slopes well inland. More often capping high tops, and western slopes above 800-900m often covered, lowering towards middle slopes in showers and more widely extensive for a few afternoon hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine for a few hours in morning, mostly inland, but then often cloudy, little sun along the coast from Jura northward. Visibility at times very good where dry, but then suddenly poor in showers, and later hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Mild 10C from overnight, dropping as dawn approaches to around 6C, lowering further during day to finish near 3C. Feeling later like -10C as wind increases.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but dropping toward 1300m later in day.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 14th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Oct 26 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly, in range 50 to 80mph, notable increase with height and strengthening, towards 90mph or higher.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting even on lower hills, but severe conditions on high terrain, mobility difficult; powerful downslope gusts.
How Wet?
A little rain, heavier later
Drizzly rain in the wind much of the day, most persistent near/west of Loch Linnhe; well inland and south sometimes only light spots. Later a belt of heavier widespread rain arrives from west, perhaps near evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Banks of cloud shrouding many west-facing hills above 800m, in places 600m near Mull. Higher bases and breaks north & east of Rannoch Moor, locally also some breaks Arran and Loch Lomond at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun occasionally. A general haze, visibility better well inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8C. Feeling like -7 to -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 15th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 12th Oct 26 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 25-35mph, will vary somewhat, and may start stronger, top speeds to 40-45mph over high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking around dawn, effects easing though walking remains impeded in exposure with wind chill.
How Wet?
A little drizzle, showers later
Rain from overnight clears around dawn, may linger south. Some damp air and drizzle for a time, this clearing as showers drift first into Lochaber, later more widely; snow on high terrain.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive to start, improving
Extensive cloud to middle slopes lingers from dawn near/south of Glencoe at least, and perhaps more widely. Cloud will lift and break up from the north and west, though terrain above 800-900m slow to clear, perhaps only Mull and north late in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun break out in Lochaber. Visibility generally poor, hazy at best along the coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C just at dawn, cooling to 3C. Feeling like -3 to -6C in direct wind, colder early.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, though may lower towards just the high summits late in the day.
Planning Outlook
Southwesterly gales strengthen to become severe on the mountains into Wednesday, moderating into Thursday. Cloudy with some drizzle on western hills, a band of more extensive heavier rain passing southeastwards Wednesday into Thursday as well. Starting on the milder side, but fresher air arrives behind the band of rain Thursday into Friday, sun breaking out with a few showers - Scottish high summits may drop back close to freezing with some snow falling on higher tops. Indications of higher pressure building on Friday and into the weekend, bringing a window of more settled weather and scope for local inversion conditions on high terrain. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings, some ground frosts likely, and may remain quite blustery south Pennines and Wales.