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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Sunday 12th April 2026
Last updated
Sat 11th Apr 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales will be severe all day over Scottish mountains, whilst upland gales gradually lessen for northern England, easing sooner in Wales, but remaining blustery. Widespread heavy showers merging into more constant precipitation in western Scotland, powerful squalls with hail, snow falling at times and risk of thunder.
Headline for West Highlands
Severe gales. Near constant rain, hail, snow.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South soon southwesterly, 50 to 60mph, but often 70mph higher Ben Nevis range, stronger gusts in showers. Tending to lessen gradually toward evening from south to 40mph, nearer 30mph Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions, any mobility challenging in places, powerful squally gusts could knock you over on exposed terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Precipitation rarely ceasing, frequent heavy bursts, hail, snow
Showery all day, but clustering into more frequent to near-constant precipitation for periods across the region; heavy bursts with hail, snow at times falling toward 600m, chance of isolated thunder & lightning. Snow cover on most high terrain, substantial in places.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, but fairly extensive
Frequently covering higher terrain above 800 to 1000m, some patches to 600m or lower in showers, but brief breaks to upper slopes. Better breaks typically inland north/east of Ben Nevis group.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief moments of bright sunshine. Visibility changing suddenly from occasionally very good to appalling at times in snow/hail and cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C rising to +1 or 2C by afternoon, but dropping slightly during showers. Wind chill feeling like -15C, often nearer -20C higher summits.
Freezing Level
800-900m from dawn, rising to 1000-1100m, then lowering again from dusk; briefly dropping also in showers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 13th April 2026
Last updated
Sat 11th Apr 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 20 to 25mph, tending to drop slightly lower in afternoon; gusty all day around showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but blustery in places where exposed on high tops in the morning, giving considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail showers forming increasingly
Showers mostly coastal areas early morning, then a scattering forming inland middle of day onward, widespread by late afternoon, briefly heavy with hail, also snow may fall to 600m. Risk isolated thunder & lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied in showers
Patches of cloud in the morning, mostly southern areas, lifting above many tops. Then occasional banks forming over hills during and after showers. Island tops more often covered above 700m in morning, then breaks afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% coasts in morning, otherwise 60%.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best inland in morning, then brief bursts of sun between showers. Visibility excellent, but briefly very poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to +1 or 2C, but dropping a few degrees in showers. Wind chill feeling like -6C to near -10C early in day on tops.
Freezing Level
800m at first, also frost in some sheltered inland glens; rising 1000-1100m into middle of day and afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 14th April 2026
Last updated
Sat 11th Apr 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly, 20 to 30mph, strengthening near coast afternoon, later 40mph. Then after sunset likely 50-60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly blustery, particularly western mountains, starting to affect comfortable walking and balance; marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely until late
Likely dry most or all daytime. By evening, patchy rain develops from southwest, becoming more persistent onward into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Likely all clearing
Patchy cloud around some southern slopes in morning, also mist in some glens at first. Largely breaking up or lifting above the hills into middle of day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of cloud and sun, high cloud gradually builds later. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 4C. Feeling colder as wind increases, later in day risk chill factor feels like -10C.
Freezing Level
900m early in day, plus frost inland glens around dawn. Rising to 1200-1300m, then above all tops later in day.
Planning Outlook
Chilly and showery conditions to start the new week, hail and a risk of isolated thunder into Monday afternoon, but less windy than the weekend. Drier for much of Tuesday, but rain and strengthening south-southwesterly winds return from the west later. Milder into mid-late week, but Scottish high tops above 1200m close to freezing at times. Wednesday through Friday, showers or some more persistent rain, mostly in the west, accompanied by strong winds, gales over mountains for periods. Higher pressure gradually builds by next weekend, bringing fewer showers and lighter winds; chilly overnight, but fairly mild spring days.