West Highlands
Western Highlands accessible from, and south of, Glenfinnan (Road to the Isles) and Glen Spean (includes Creag Meagaidh). This area include Ben Nevis and the mountains around Glencoe. In the east, includes Ben Alder south to Loch Lomond and Trossachs NP. Includes Arran and Mull.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 22nd October 2020
Last updated
Wednesday 21st October 2020 at
2:30 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Despite an approaching ridge of high pressure, the remnants of fronts, will mean only a slow, although sustained improvement after extensive low cloud and patches of rain from dawn - particularly so central Britain. Strong winds will ease; becoming very light in Scotland.
Headline for West Highlands
Gradually improving: extensive low cloud and patches of rain clearing.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwest or northerly 25 to mainly near the coast 35mph at dawn. Will slowly drop to become less than 10mph by mid afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Becoming negligible
How Wet?
Snow (rain lower slopes) gradually fizzling out by late morning.
Overnight precipitation, snow above 800m, will be fizzling out, but after dawn still patches here and there. By midday very likely dry apart from possibly a few isolated pockets left.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive at dawn; improving, many tops eventually clearing
Some breaks from dawn to 800-1000m. But overall, the hills starting foggy. Slowly the cloud will fragment, by early afternoon, only fragments below 750m and summits up to 1100m increasingly clearing - eventually highest tops may clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10% post dawn, 70% from mid afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine increasingly coming through; fairly extensive sun toward evening. Fairly widely misty at first, but gradually visibility becoming excellent, perhaps superb.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C
Freezing Level
1050m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 23rd October 2020
Last updated
Wednesday 21st October 2020 at
2:30 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, after dawn typically 40mph, then after a slight lull, through afternoon, 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking at times arduous on higher areas, particularly after dawn and again later in day.
How Wet?
Showery; snow higher slopes
Rain after dawn will clear within 2 or 3 hours. Then increasingly showery, the showers becoming heavy through afternoon, with hail and above 900m, later 600m snow.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas
Cloud forming lower slopes at first many areas, particularly toward coast. By late morning, typical cloud base 650m to 900m, highest central Highlands where a few breaks toward higher tops. However, near showers, cloud base will drop to 450 to 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine after a dull misty start; the sun mainly well inland. Varied visibility; often very good or excellent, but poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Typically 2C; will tend to drop toward 0C through day.
Freezing Level
1300m dropping toward 900m by late afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 24th October 2020
Last updated
Wednesday 21st October 2020 at
2:30 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly typically 65mph, easing to 45mph middle of day after perhaps a brief slight lull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility difficult and wind chill severe where exposed on higher areas, sudden gusts at times some lower slopes.
How Wet?
Rain, widely heavy, mainly morning
Widely constant often heavy rain (least heavy north of Glen Spean). After a break in the rain, frequent showers afternoon, particularly more western mountains. Snow above 1150m, later 800m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, cloud base rising afternoon
Blanket fog most areas morning above 200-400m, but north across Lochaber, cloud base rising toward 750-950m. Then, varied cloud base, occasionally below 450m, but typically 700-900m generally highest central highlands/near & north of Glen Spean.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of sun lower slopes central highlands and north from Glen Spean. Visibility very poor in heavy rain, but good at times afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C; tending to drop through the day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits morning, then dropping toward 1000m.
Planning Outlook
A series of often intense lows will come in off the Atlantic, bringing periods of storm force winds to all mountain areas from the weekend. Rain will fall almost daily, particularly on western mountains, where considerable total rainfall. On higher areas, mainly the Scottish Highlands, snow will fall intermittently.