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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Fine, partly cloudy, snow cover on tops
Mostly dry with partly cloudy skies; patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes; tops remain capped with snow.
Cool
Temperatures above freezing but typically no higher than +5C over the tops - if exposed to brisk winds will feel sub-zero. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Fine, partly cloudy, snow cover on tops
Mostly dry with partly cloudy skies; patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes; tops remain capped with snow.
Cool
Temperatures above freezing but typically no higher than +5C over the tops - if exposed to brisk winds will feel sub-zero. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 20th April 2024
Last updated
Fri 19th Apr 24 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Most places dry all day with variable cloud and sun. Winds fairly light, but feeling chilly if exposed over higher terrain. Locally breezier in northern Scotland. A weak front drifting in from the northwest brings a little rain or drizzle to the northern Highlands mainly into afternoon.
Headline for West Highlands
Largely dry, varied cloud. Wind fairly light.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly, turning westerly for Lochaber; 10 to 15mph, sometimes 20mph over higher exposed tops, local gusts on some mid-slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small effect on walking, but prepare for noticeable wind chill if exposed on higher terrain, especially in the morning - in contrast to feeling pleasant where sheltered if in sunshine.
How Wet?
Mostly dry, risk local drizzly rain north
Much of the region dry all day. Risk of a little light rain or drizzle drifting into Lochaber during afternoon into early evening, mainly from Ben Nevis to Creag Meagaidh area.
Cloud on the hills?
Occasional banks north; little toward south
Some banks of cloud mainly over tops in Lochaber and toward Mull in the morning, lifting toward or above many summits. Many southern summits often clear. Thickening cloud may lower onto tops around Ben Nevis in afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% Lochaber, to 80% near Loch Lomond.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best in southern areas in the morning. Cloud tending to increasingly cover the sky from the north. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Near 0C at first, rising to 5C afternoon. Wind chill feeling like -5C in the morning, still sub-zero on high tops afternoon.
Freezing Level
Slight frost inland glens plus some sheltered higher areas at first. Otherwise above freezing to highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 21st April 2024
Last updated
Fri 19th Apr 24 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable and mostly low speeds, 10-15mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Chance of isolated brief light showers mainly inland areas in the afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
May largely clear
Patchy cloud around some higher slopes in the morning, tending lift toward or above many summits. By afternoon, most cloud above the mountains.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to locally 7C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 22nd April 2024
Last updated
Fri 19th Apr 24 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 20 to 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect comfortable walking on exposed tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain on and off
Patchy showery rain, by evening turning to snow flurries on the Munros. Often drier toward west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Most extensive Ben Nevis area
Varied banks over higher slopes, most persistent in Lochaber and toward Creag Meagaidh. Higher breaks further west and south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy, some sun in west. Visibility good, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, but by evening dropping toward 0C in Lochaber. Wind chill feeling sub-zero, often -5C on higher tops, later colder.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but starting to lower later in day, to 1000m or lower in Lochaber into night.
Planning Outlook
Into early next week, high pressure will be centred toward the northwest, with sunny spells and scattered light showers. Northerly winds bring lower temperatures into midweek, near or below freezing over higher terrain, coldest toward the east. Lowering pressure is expected later in the week, turning more widely showery again with upland snow, plus hail. Day-to-day variations in extent of showers and cloud amounts. Cool conditions are likely to continue toward the change of month into early May, at least in Scotland.