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.
Sunday'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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 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
Sunday 14th September 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Sep 25 at
4:26PM
Summary for all mountain areas
After a dry start, deteriorating conditions as strong to gale force south to south-easterly winds and extensive rain spreads northeastwards, to reach all parts bar north Highland by late afternoon. Hill fog forming in rain. Rainfall will be heavy, if not torrential at times over England and Wales with thunder risk.
Headline for West Highlands
Dry, bright start. Deteriorating with heavy rain, gales and hill fog in afternoon.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-westerly, backing south then south-easterly, lifting to 15 to 25mph, then marked rise to 40-60mph by mid to late afternoon when very turbulent. Strongest western coastal hills.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small at first, but becoming arduous and then difficult later in the day, with significant buffeting and wind chill.
How Wet?
Dry start, then heavy rain afternoon.
Isolated showers here and there morning, otherwise dry. Increasingly rain setting in from the southwest in the afternoon. Turning heavy, small risk thunder late afternoon. Easing off later in evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly forming in rain.
Capping tops in cloud, but hills near and north of Glen Spean may be cloud free for several hours. In rain, increasingly cloud widely forming on to mid to upper slopes; lowest bases on and near Arran up through Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% for a time, but down to 20% in rain.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun, mainly hazy due to high cloud, then becoming overcast by afternoon. Visibility very good for a time, but becoming poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C lifting to 7C. Feeling more like -5C to -8C in exposure to the strengthening wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but patchy ground frost some inland glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 15th September 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Sep 25 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence: West to southwesterly 20 to 45mph, but a marked lull possible for a time. Perhaps 50mph+ on/near Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for periods of very blustery if not for a time arduous conditions with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Increasingly wet
Perhaps some hills frequently dry morning, but clusters of heavy showers around. Into afternoon, a swathe of rain is likely to extend in from the west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Most likely extensive
Whilst bases will vary, cloud will likely be extensive across the hills, bases generally around 600-900m, with only fleeting breaks to the tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Visibility sometimes poor due to rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C, chilliest early and late in the day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 16th September 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Sep 25 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 25 to 40mph, strongest on and near Arran in morning when risk 50mph. May ease to 15 to 20mph later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions through morning, perhaps difficult in the south for a time, significant wind chill. Easing later on.
How Wet?
Rain then scattered showers
Early band of showery rain, with heavy bursts, clears south. Then scattered showers will follow, rarely heavy. May remain rather frequent on/near Arran.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, but rising to tops.
Extensive banks from dawn from mid slopes upwards, patches to 400m west coast. Bases will lift and break to become mostly above 900-1100m afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% lifting to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast start, but patchwork of sunshine breaking through into the afternoon. Visibility becoming very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Staying unsettled and mostly cyclonic through next week with rain or showers on most days, allow conditions will vary as areas of low pressure move in and then depart to the east. Transient ridges will give fairly brief weather windows, Temperatures staying on the cool side mostly, with considerable wind chill, but incursions of more humid air into parts of England and Wales at times as lows move in. The longer range outlook into late September remains unsettled.