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
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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 23rd December 2025
Last updated
Mon 22nd Dec 25 at
4:08PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A fairly extensive sheet of cloud cloaks eastern Scotland southward down the Pennines and east Wales; some mist and haze, fine drizzle on eastern slopes. Cloud more broken on slopes and summits near west coasts, substantially dry here. An easterly wind south Pennines and Wales, strengthening into night.
Headline for West Highlands
Often cloudy towards central highlands, spots of light rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable, generally southeasterly 15-20mph, though lighter winds northern Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, local lulls in Lochaber, though some uncomfortable gusty spots possible towards Lochaber.
How Wet?
A little rain on and off
Some patchy light rain here and there but totals will be small, many slopes likely remain dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive central highlands, variable northwest
Fairly extensive over high terrain from Loch Lomond north to Creag Meagaidh, bases to 700m, locally lower where rain and drizzle occur. Some lower banks too including patchy fog in the glens. More variable inland Lochaber, some breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy. Good visibility in places, but variable as rain comes and goes, hazier or mistier further toward the central belt.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C, some variability, always warmest Lochaber; little change with added height; trending cooler later.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, may lower to just touch high summits of the central highlands into nighttime.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 24th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 22nd Dec 25 at
4:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly, trending southeasterly 15-20mph, gusty in exposure.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly mid-slopes south and east
Cloud banks cling to the hills between 800-1100m from Glencoe to the southern islands, bases variable and may lower near Loch Lomond. Patchier further west and north, many coastal slopes Mull and north clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Best of sunshine in coastal Lochaber, patchier sun near Glencoe/Loch Lomond. Very good visibility though a slight haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or 0C towards the central highlands, several degrees warmer west towards the coast, locally up to 3C.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined, around 700-800m Loch Lomond to east Glencoe; higher or above the summits to the west.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 25th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 22nd Dec 25 at
4:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 15-25mph, strongest around Clyde sea lochs to Glencoe; some gustiness.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though turbulent at all elevations, may become uncomfortable on southern mountains.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Patches on middle slopes
Patchy cloud forming on middle slopes, most frequently near Loch Lomond and Glencoe. Patches well scattered towards Lochaber, many hills clear here.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% (tops above cloud layer)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best in Lochaber where may be fairly extensive. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, a slight rise in temperature with added height; also a degree warmer coastal slopes.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: many slopes above 700m at or below freezing, though milder western slopes and on the highest tops.
Planning Outlook
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be dry: easterly winds are dominant with the strongest winds in England and Wales. Cloud may be fairly sheet-like in the east sometimes, though variably more extensive or broken, best of breaks in western areas. Turning colder too, the coldest air in England and Wales with freezing levels reaching as low as 400-600m in east Wales. Staying slightly warmer in northern Scotland with some inversion conditions likely over higher terrain; frost into glens and poorly defined freezing levels. High pressure stays put to the north into the weekend, maintaining dry weather, easterly winds, and most cloud in eastern areas. Temperatures will stay chilly.