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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very 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.
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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very 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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 4th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A weakening warm front will gradually bring low cloud to western hills of NW England and Wales. Blustery N England. In Scotland, widespread gales; in the NW & W Highlands, heavy rain and fog, but only occasional rain eastern and southern Scottish mountains.
Headline for West Highlands
Persistent upland gales, rain and fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 40-50mph on higher exposed areas; generally least windy Loch Lomond NP. Probably nearer 35mph Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and walking difficult. General mobility strenuous on higher summits, particularly Lochaber.
How Wet?
Raining most or all day,.
Almost incessant rain soon setting in. The rain on and off near Loch Lomond & Clyde sea lochs; only occasional drizzle Arran.
Cloud on the hills?
Foggy across all or nearly all mountains all day
Persistent low cloud penetrating inland from about dawn will persist all day, forming on some coastal cliffs and inland from just above valleys. Well inland - toward central highlands most cloud above 600m, locally higher.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine very unlikely. Visibility frequently poor, though mostly good near central belt.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C. Will feel as cold as minus 6C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 5th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly typically 40mph, but on higher summits up to 50mph. Mostly 35mph S Loch Lomond NP, 30mph Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking where exposed: balance strenuous in sudden gusts (some reaching lower slopes), and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most or all day, concentrated west
Overnight rain, concentrated on more western mountains may well continue all day. Toward central highlands and south of Oban, the rain progressively less heavy - perhaps only a little drizzle Arran.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog.
Persistent fog: near coasts above 200 to 400m, whilst elsewhere above typically 600m. Chance of a rise in cloud base of a couple of hundred metres extending south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively dull and misty. Chance isolated pockets of sun easternmost lower slopes and valleys - but even here hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C. Feeling like minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or northwesterly between 15 and 25mph, perhaps 30mph for a few hours Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked wind chill in much colder air. Likely to impede ease of walking higher up, particularly near showers.
How Wet?
Snow and hail showers
Hail and snow showers, mainly Lochaber and Mull. A little snow will lie above 1000 or 1100m. Risk rain more widespread post dawn near central belt - will clear.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently covering higher slopes; forming lower down near precipitation.
Near showers, shafts of cloud below 600m, perhaps temporarily 400m, mainly near the coast. Otherwise cloud base 750 to occasionally 1050m (highest base generally more eastern and southern areas). Possibly much lower cloud morning near central belt.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine developing, particularly Loch Lomond NP and Arran. Very varied visibility; often very good, but abruptly poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, but will feel as cold as minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain at some stage more or less daily on most mountain areas through the coming week. However, total rainfall small, and frequently dry E & S Wales and S Pennines. Frequently windy Scottish Highlands, whilst progressively southwards, periods of strong winds will less frequent. A brief period of colder less windy weather around the middle of next week brings snow showers to some northern mountains.