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.
Wednesday'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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 15th April 2026
Last updated
Tue 14th Apr 26 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread gales, powerful gusts over tops and down northern slopes, severe at times in Scotland, particularly west. Persistent rain for many, brief dry windows east (notably Pennines), then heavy rain sweeps east afternoon, followed by showers, only easing late in the day. Mild air, but feeling cold in wind.
Headline for West Highlands
Near-constant rain and gales, severe gusts near the coast
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 45-55mph, some variability but with powerful gusts, not just high slopes, locally variable direction, approaching 60mph+ at times. An easing tendency later, notably along the coast, but always a risk of stronger gusts returning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions with significant wind chill in exposure all day; constant chaotic gusts making it difficult to stay on your feet; any forward progress tortuous in most powerful wind.
How Wet?
Persistent rain, brief breaks inland north
Rain frequently streaming in from the south, setting in nearly constantly for periods with heavy falls; occasional brief breaks in the rain, notably inland north around midday, but often drizzly on high terrain during these lulls too.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, local slight improvements
A sheet of cloud shrouds the mountains, largely to lower slopes in the morning, as low as coastal cliffs in the south. A slight lift of bases inland-north, best around Creag Meagaidh, but unlikely breaking above 800-900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull most of the day, poor visibility in persistent rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, little change with height from dawn. A rapid cooling from the west as night falls. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, may just graze the summit of Ben Nevis around dusk, lowering towards 1100m overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 16th April 2026
Last updated
Tue 14th Apr 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-50mph in the morning, a gradual easing trend, 25-35mph later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions early with significant wind chill; greater effort to maintain stability. Improving trend.
How Wet?
Frequent heavy showers, later easing
A stream of showers driving in from the west, frequent and heavy for several hours with risk of hail and thunder. Drizzly on the tops for a time as well, even between showers. Tending to slowly ease later.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, slow improvement, best inland
Most terrain above 700-800m shrouded at dawn, lowest bases south and west, locally to coastal cliffs. A lifting trend, breaks to upper terrain well-inland, bases slow to rise above 600m closer to the coast. Only late in the day will higher summits possibly clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine breaking out on lower slopes with time, gradually to higher slopes too. Variable visibility, often poor in rain but excellent during breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising to 3C; southern islands milder, perhaps to 5C. Feeling like -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
About 1100-1200m at dawn, gradually lifting to clear all summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 17th April 2026
Last updated
Tue 14th Apr 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 35-45mph, variable and risk higher speeds along west coast, to 55mph Mull and Lochaber coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking often arduous in exposure with considerable wind chill, more challenging near the coast for periods
How Wet?
Rain most of the day, late heavy showers
Showery rain from before dawn soon sets in persistently for several hours with heavy falls. The rain will break into frequent showers with time, heaviest Mull to Loch Lomond and south, risk of hail and isolated lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud covers high terrain much of the day, often to middle slopes south. Highest bases Lochaber early, more extensively to middle slopes as rain sets in. Later, higher breaks in the north, though ragged cloud lingers on some lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, 40% north late in the day
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy and often dull in rain with poor visibility. Sunny glimpses later with good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C. Feeling as cold as -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
May just touch the summit of Ben Nevis at dawn from overnight, soon lifting off the summit.
Planning Outlook
Unsettled conditions as the weekend approaches: showery on Thursday (local hail and lightning in Scotland), more rain and often heavy on Friday, accompanied by gusty winds, gales over mountains for periods; some bright spells on Thursday and later Friday too. Temperatures will tend to rise several degrees during daylight, even when cloudy, and often becoming warm in the valleys; slopes north of major hill groups often milder too. Saturday sees continued showers, mostly north and west where staying blustery, but a trend towards higher pressure building through late weekend into early next week. Confidence in detail for oncoming high pressure remains very low: a risk of chilly easterly wind for a time with showers, mostly east and southern areas.