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

Light wind, negligible impact
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Clear
Warm
Strong warm sunshine

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM Last Updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM Last Updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Wednesday 27th May 2026
Last updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM

Summary for all mountain areas

A largely sunny day in NW Scotland, whilst low cloud in central-E Scotland & NE England in the morning will gradually thin and break, but may linger toward the North Sea. Gusty SE'ly winds for England & Wales, but remaining very warm. Localised thundery rain may develop in Wales, mainly south.

Headline for West Highlands

Sun best in west, warming up. Light wind, breezier coast.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southeasterly 10mph, or less at times inland. 15mph coastal hills and Isles, here tending to increase and feel gustier 20mph in afternoon-evening.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible away from the coast and islands where breeze will pick up through the day.

How Wet?

No rain expected

Cloud on the hills?

Early local patchy cloud clearing

Patchy mist or cloud around inland hills early morning, mainly Loch Lomond area, possible fog coastal areas near Clyde. Some higher tops start above cloud. Patches may linger in morning, but all lifting or dispersing with time.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

90%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Widespread sunshine, some areas of thin high cloud. Beware high UV and sunburn. Visibility very good away from early mist mainly southern areas.

How Cold? (at 900m)

7 to 10C at first, coolest if in cloud inland, lifting to 13 or 14C in afternoon.

Freezing Level

Well above the summits

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Thursday 28th May 2026
Last updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

South or southeasterly 15-25mph, may start less inland, but likely strengthening to gusty 30-40mph, or stronger into night.

Effect of the wind on you?

Increasingly blustery, affecting ease of walking and balance on exposed terrain. Sudden strong gusts ahead of rain.

How Wet?

Risk thundery rain mainly later

Possibly an odd burst of rain forming during middle of day as high cloud thickens from south. Greater risk later in day of sporadic thundery showers forming. Then later evening into night, areas of rain likely more widely.

Cloud on the hills?

Little if any until late

The mountains largely clear all day. Later if showers form, ragged patchy cloud around some hills. May then fill in more widely evening onward if rain develops.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

80%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sun and high cloud, thin at first, but likely thickening from south to cover the sky. Visibility good, some haze.

How Cold? (at 900m)

11C rising to 15C, locally warmer inland by afternoon. Feeling cooler in the wind nearer coasts.

Freezing Level

Well above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Friday 29th May 2026
Last updated Tue 26th May 26 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southwesterly 30 to 40mph, risk 50mph at times higher tops in Ben Nevis group.

Effect of the wind on you?

Strenuous walking conditions, frequent buffeting affecting balance on some high tops, mainly north. Marked wind chill.

How Wet?

Rain and showers

Rain fairly persistent over Lochaber hills in the morning, tending to break up into showery rain and some drizzle on windward slopes toward coasts.

Cloud on the hills?

Fairly extensive

Shrouding many higher mountains all day, often extensive above 600-800m west of Loch Linnhe, at times coastal areas further south. Some breaks above 1000m inland.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

30%

Sunshine and air clarity?

A little sun well inland and south but largely cloudy. Visibility reduced in rain, otherwise good below cloud, but some haze.

How Cold? (at 900m)

6 to 8C. Wind chill feeling like -5C on high tops.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Planning Outlook

Very warm air wafts north across the Highlands by Thursday, but this also brings a risk of scattered thundery showers forming; strong and gusty southerly winds. Gale or near-gale force southwesterlies into Friday for the Highlands, strongest toward the northwest, where accompanied by rain, drizzle and low cloud. The recent heat across England and Wales will ease back to nearer average temperatures into the weekend. From the weekend into next week, southwesterlies will prevail, bringing changeable conditions in from the Atlantic - rain, drizzle and low cloud most common on western coastal mountains, but showery days are likely more widely at times. Temperatures near average, some cooler days.