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.
Saturday'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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 23rd Jan 26 at
3:35PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widely across high terrain, strongest sustained speeds over Wales. Snowfall continues over east and southeast Scottish Highlands mountains, whiteout on higher terrain; rain lower down. Largely dry and clearer further northwest. Clearer also for the Lake District. Rain frequent in south Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales, very gusty. Snow central highlands, clearer northwest.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 55mph, powerful gusts downslope to the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions; walking and balance difficult in exposed areas, buffeting gusts lower down; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly hills east of Loch Lomond
Snow mostly toward central highlands, sleet or rain low-mid slopes. Some flurries spilling northwest to Ben Nevis & Creag Meagaidh, very little further west. Occasional light rain or sleet Arran & Kintyre.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest south, breaks northwest
Shrouding most of Loch Lomond NP and nearby coastal hills toward Arran all day, to some mid-slopes on southern aspects. Higher base northwest, often capping high tops, but some breaks west of Ben Nevis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 40% west of Loch Linnhe.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun west Lochaber and near coasts further south, where visibility good below cloud, though some haze. Cloudy toward central highlands, sustained whiteout if in cloud and falling/blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C inland, up +1C tops nearest coasts and on the islands. Directly in the wind feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
600 to 800m inland, lowest in Creag Meagaidh to Loch Ossian area, but locally varied and may drift just above freezing to some higher elevations, particularly coasts.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 23rd Jan 26 at
3:35PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly, speed tending to lessen during day, in range 30 to 50mph, gusty downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions may persist over much higher terrain, buffeting gusts lower down. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Patchy hill snow
Snow flurries over hills mostly Loch Lomond NP into central highlands, sleet or rain up to 600m, or higher near coast. Small amounts northwestwards into Lochaber, locally often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks northwest
Often covering many high tops, lowest cloud base Loch Lomond NP, also around Arran, to some mid-slopes. Higher base and some breaks Lochaber, best in west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly west of Loch Linnhe where visibility good. Hazier south, poorer in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, but locally up to +1C some coastal high terrain and on islands. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
700 to 900m, lowest well inland; further west above freezing to some upper slopes near coasts and on islands.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 26th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 23rd Jan 26 at
3:35PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-35mph, soon strengthening, reaching a sustained 55mph or stronger with powerful gusts by dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking soon becomes challenging with buffeting making balance difficult in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy snow central highlands
Patchy snow affecting the hills near the central highlands from Loch Lomond to Creag Meagaidh. Most west hills will stay dry, some patchy sleet/rain onto the southern islands. Rain/snow arrives overnight.
Cloud on the hills?
Most extensive south and inland
Cloud shrouds high terrain south of Lochaber, with lowest bases around the southern islands and Loch Lomond, down to 600m on east slopes or lower in snow. Higher bases and more broken towards coastal Lochaber, an odd break to tops possible.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some morning sun possible in Lochaber, but soon weakening with high cloud. Very poor visibility in snow, better towards northwest coast but also a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C. Feeling like -15 to -20C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
400-500m. Frost in inland glens in the morning as well.
Planning Outlook
East to southeasterlies continue onward into next week, frequently strong to gale-force over the mountains, giving severe chill factor. Below freezing across high terrain in Scotland, and into early next week a lowering freezing level over hills in England and Wales. Frequent or persistent snowfall over east and southern Scottish mountains. Patchier and small amounts reaching coastal regions in west-northwest Scotland. Areas of rain and increasingly hill snow push across England and Wales as low pressure remains dominant. Low cloud often covering many hills.