Mountain Weather
Information Service
West Highlands Forecast

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

Windy, walking impeded
Snow flurries
Very Cold
Terrain widely frozen

Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.

Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM Last Updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM Last Updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Wednesday 6th December 2023
Last updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM

Summary for all mountain areas

After a hard frost, mostly dry and bright, but feeling increasingly bitterly cold as southeasterly winds strengthen and cloud thicken through the day ahead of a front, which will bring and increasing risk of upland snowfall, in across western mountains toward evening, and then spreading to all parts overnight.

Headline for West Highlands

Bitter chill in strengthening southeast winds. Snow setting in after dusk.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southeasterly, strengthening through day from 20-30mph after dawn to 35 to perhaps 45mph before dusk.

Effect of the wind on you?

Walking increasingly difficult, in places on lower slopes, and feeling bitterly cold as wind chill becomes significant.

How Wet?

Risk snow spreading northeast

Very likely dry all morning and probably all day. Nevertheless, slowly increasing threat of patchy snow initially near the coast - then more widely deteriorating with widespread snow after dark.

Cloud on the hills?

Banks on higher areas; highest cloud base and breaks Lochaber.

Generally persistent cloud above around 600m central highlands, Arran and Loch Lomond NP. May sometimes lower to 450m. Elsewhere, most cloud above 750-900m and clearing summits near and west of Loch Linnhe.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20% in the south to 60% in the north

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sunshine from time to time, mainly near and west of Loch Linnhe. Visibility excellent although increasingly hazy.

How Cold? (at 900m)

-3C. Will feel as cold as minus 17C directly in the wind.

Freezing Level

Almost all terrain frozen.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Thursday 7th December 2023
Last updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Very turbulent conditions developing. Southeasterly winds; lifting through day to 50 to 80mph

Effect of the wind on you?

Be prepared for increasingly very difficult conditions, as turbulent and very powerful winds accelerate over the mountains.

How Wet?

Occasional snow or refrozen rain

Occasional snow. Level to which snow falls varying, to lower slopes in some areas, but upper slopes or tops elsewhere with some hills seeing refrozen rain.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive

Be prepared for extensive hill fog; in the south and east down to lower slopes. Mainly upper slopes north Lochaber/west of Loch Linnhe.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Overcast. Visibility often very poor.

How Cold? (at 900m)

Around -2C, will tend to rise to between -1C and plus 2C. More like -18C in direct exposure to the wind.

Freezing Level

400-700m, highest near west coast. Lifting to 700-1100m; varied across area.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Friday 8th December 2023
Last updated Tue 5th Dec 23 at 4:28PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

East to southeasterly 15 to 25mph, locally 30mph at first, but tending to ease through the day.

Effect of the wind on you?

Be prepared for considerable wind chill in the strongest breezes, although tending to ease through the day.

How Wet?

Rain, snow tops, tending to fizzle out.

Areas of rain, or above 1000m snow, on and off for a time, but tending to fizzle out into the afternoon. Although some showers may persist in the south.

Cloud on the hills?

Fairly extensive, best breaks in north.

Cloud covering the hills fairly extensively, perhaps to lower slopes from the central Highlands down to Loch Lomond NP. Best breaks N Lochaber

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Mostly dull, but some patchy sun N Lochaber at times breaking through. Visibility at times good or very good, but poor and murky where in rain.

How Cold? (at 900m)

Around 1C, but feeling closer to -10C initially in the strongest winds before they ease.

Freezing Level

Gradual thaw to upper slopes, with freezing level around 1100m.

Planning Outlook

Unsettled conditions will prevail over the next week to 10 days, with periods of upland gales or severe gales with precipitation frequent, mostly rain, although intermittently snow Scottish Highlands, more rarely elsewhere. Driest conditions (relative to the average) will likely be in the northwest Highlands, given the often backed flow, as the low pressure areas track in.