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
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 24th Feb 26 at
4:54PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Mild for the time of year; freezing levels above all summits, snow still lying on high Munros but continuing to thaw to the summits. Windy, strongest near Irish Sea and south Scotland with buffeting gusts. Rain and extensive hill cloud in west Scotland, passing east and into England and Wales with time.
Headline for West Highlands
Persistent rain and low fog; breezy, some gustiness
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 20-30mph, notable gusts, not just high slopes, likely strongest near Arran/Loch Lomond.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking affected by inconvenient buffeting, at times strenuous in exposure.
How Wet?
Persistent rain, becoming wet underfoot
Rain affects most mountains nearly all day, from before dawn; persistent to nearly constant near the coast and with heavy falls. Lighter falls inland at first, but increasingly steady here too. Becoming very wet underfoot.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud shrouds nearly all hills to the middle slopes, often to lower slopes, most persistently low near the northern coastal areas. Some higher breaks possible towards Creag Meagaidh, but unlikely above 700m at best, and later reaching low slopes here too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Very poor visibility in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C; only small change with added height. A slight lowering may begin late in the day, greater certainty overnight. Feeling as cold as -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits during daylight with thaws to high terrain, though snow coverage still fairly widespread on highest Munros.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 26th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 24th Feb 26 at
4:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-35mph from dawn, strengthening, reaching 45-55mph, possibly stronger on high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking at least strenuous and often arduous with balance challenges in exposure and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Often raining, snow high terrain
Bands of rain sweep west-to-east, precipitation lingering near the coast between pulses; snow on high tops, locally to 900m. May set in more widely afternoon, the snowfall level lifting too.
Cloud on the hills?
Some high breaks inland, chance reducing
During rain, fog shrouds high terrain, bases towards 600-700m during heaviest falls. Drier periods bring higher bases, breaks to inland summits possible for a time, but the fog increasingly extensive on high terrain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright/sunny bursts during breaks in the rain, best inland, the chance lowering. Mixed visibility, at times very good, though very poor on tops in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Feeling like -12 to -15C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m. Lifting to just high summits, lowering again overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 27th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 24th Feb 26 at
4:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence: generally westerly 15-30mph, variable, but a strengthening trend; possibly lower speeds for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Effects may be locally fairly small but trending towards impeding effects with a notable chill.
How Wet?
Showers, snowfall level lowering
Showers arrive from the west, snow falling to 800-900m, lowering with time. Showers may at times merge into broader areas of precipitation, a risk of broader rain for a few hours as well, though this uncertain.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, sometimes lower, may improve
Terrain above 800-900m often in cloud, bases to middle slopes during rain/snow, but with time a breaking trend, some "ribbons" at higher elevations but also breaks to summits possible, best chance inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy but with bright moments, brief sun bursts possible. Good visibility but some haze towards the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
+1C from dawn, lowering with time, to -2C by evening. Feeling near -10C if strong wind occurs.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m from dawn, a lowering trend likely, perhaps reaching to 600m by evening.
Planning Outlook
Thursday will be windy with a swathe of rain affecting all areas at some point. A low pressure core is likely to affect the country on Friday, but detail is highly uncertain: there is a risk of rain and strong wind for central and southern areas, a general cooling trend. Snow returning to the Scottish Highlands, the snowfall level lowering into nighttime. A fast-moving ridge of high pressure leads into Saturday, then a return to west-southwesterly wind with bands of rain passing west to east through the weekend into the following week. Mixed conditions are indicated in the following week, with low and high pressure competing for dominance: freezing levels will vary, high Scottish terrain often at or below freezing, the level occasionally lifting to and above tops.