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
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.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
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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.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 2nd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Bitterly cold north-northwesterly winds, gale-force over many hills, typically strongest in morning, again late in day Scotland. Frequent snow and hail northern Scotland, blizzard conditions on mountains. Showers also affect Wales. Mostly dry, sunny and clear hills N England & S Scotland. Most terrain frozen.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales on tops, severe chill factor. Snow and hail showers.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 50mph at first, gusts over 60mph around and before dawn, then tending to lessen slightly to 35-40mph, least wind early afternoon, but some squally gusts. Increasing again after dark toward 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill over the mountains. Arduous conditions early morning, mobility difficult around high tops; frequent buffeting all day in exposure on higher terrain. Deteriorating again after dark.
How Wet?
Snow and hail most frequent north and coasts
Showers coming in from the north into Lochaber, frequent snow for periods Ben Nevis to Creag Meagaidh, risk whiteout at times; showers also running down west coast, snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level. More often dry Arran into Loch Lomond NP and central highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent northern and coastal tops
Often capping tops in Lochaber above 800-1000m, lower patches in showers north-facing slopes near Glen Spean. Often capping Mull, Jura and nearby mainland above 700-900m. Better breaks to tops around Loch Lomond.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Lochaber/coasts, to 60% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, sunniest Loch Lomond. Visibility excellent away from showers, but very poor where snow falls or blows around and also if in cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C (to -8C at 1200-1300m). Wind chill feeling like -17 to -22C on tops.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, sub-zero all day glens upward. Just above freezing up to 300-400m nearest the coast and on islands.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 35 to 50mph, strongest sustained speeds over Ben Nevis group; squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued severe wind chill over the mountains. Frequent buffeting on exposed terrain, walking often challenging.
How Wet?
Snow and hail coasts and north
Ongoing showers running southward over coastal areas, also inland Lochaber for periods; snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level. Drier Loch Lomond NP to central highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops in north
Varying cloud bases near Mull above 700-900m, briefly lower in showers. Also often capping tops inland Lochaber above 800-1000m. Often clearer Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Lochaber-Mull, to 70% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, sunniest Loch Lomond. Visibility excellent away from showers, but very poor where snow falls or blows around and also if in cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C (to -9C above 1200m). Wind chill feeling like -20C, nearer -25C on Ben Nevis summit in exposure.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 300-400m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 30 to 40mph, squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued severe wind chill over the mountains. Arduous walking with frequent buffeting on exposed terrain.
How Wet?
Snow and hail coasts and north
Ongoing showers running southward over coastal areas, some showers inland mainly Lochaber and Creag Meagaidh; snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level. Drier Glencoe/Loch Lomond NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, often covering northern tops
Varying cloud bases near Mull above 700-900m, briefly lower in showers and towards the southern islands. Also often capping tops inland Lochaber above 800-1000m. Often clearer Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Lochaber-Mull, to 70% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, sunniest Loch Lomond. Visibility excellent away from showers, but very poor where snow falls or blows around and also if in cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C (to -8C above 1200m). Wind chill feeling like -20C, risk nearer -25C on Ben Nevis summit in exposure.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 200-300m.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen this weekend and early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and some valleys inland in northern England. Substantial fresh snow accumulations in the North West Highlands and Cairngorms, heavy showers streaming in from the north also containing hail. Largely dry and sunny from central Scotland to northern England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops, lessening somewhat during Sunday. Some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, though most high terrain stays sub-zero, and as fronts come in from the west, upland snowfalls are possible more widely.