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.
Friday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 1st May 2026
Last updated
Thu 30th Apr 26 at
3:09PM
Summary for all mountain areas
As pressure falls slowly, so extensive high level cloud and bursts of rain (perhaps thundery in places later in day) will spread east - although the precise locations of the showery rain remains uncertain. Patches of low cloud, mainly near Irish Sea coasts will accompany the rain.
Headline for West Highlands
A few bursts of rain; fairly light wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 15mph or on coastal hills 20-25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small
How Wet?
Risk a burst of rain; small chance lightning
Some, perhaps most areas dry all day, but scattered bursts of rain will spread east during morning. Very low risk isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any until evening - may then form particularly on the islands
The mountains substantially clear of cloud, but in evening, patches will form at various heights, mainly Mull to Arran, but possibly also Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively cloudy but bright as weak sun intermittently comes through high cloud layers. Visibility very good, slight haze develops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C coastal hills. Elsewhere rising to a very warm 13C by afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Last updated
Thu 30th Apr 26 at
3:09PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
(Low confidence in this forecast) Direction varied; widely 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible
How Wet?
Rain becoming more widespread
After overnight rain, the morning probably largely dry. Increasingly bursts of rain, in places setting in and there may also be heavy thundery bursts.
Cloud on the hills?
Probably very extensive.
Particularly toward the coast, cloud may for periods form below 300m. Even well inland in rain, fragments may form upward from forest canopies, although most cloud above 600m, and perhaps clearing to higher tops at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine. The air very clear, but visibility poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Between 5C near the coast and 8C, perhaps 10C well inland.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 3rd May 2026
Last updated
Thu 30th Apr 26 at
3:09PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction varied widely 10mph or less. May be or become north to northeasterly up to 25mph Arran & S Loch Lomond NP.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly negligible.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Risk of the odd light shower. Low risk of a broad band of rain approaching Scotland from the south affecting Arran and southern Loch Lomond NP - highest risk afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
May persist higher tops
Cloud may be extensive on higher slopes morning, but by midday should be above about 1000m, possibly 1200m. In rain later cloud likely to descend onto higher slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Excellent or superb visibility - though turning misty in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, rising to 5 to possibly 7C inland Lochaber.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits. Frost some valleys at first.
Planning Outlook
Less settled from the weekend onwards. Rain will be more frequent although apart from on Saturday night and Sunday (when a band of rain will move north about as far as central Scotland - the detail presently very uncertain) total rainfall will remain fairly small. Temperature levels will drop markedly, particularly on the Scottish Highlands, where overnight and mornings higher slopes will be below freezing point on Scottish Highlands - with hail and snow flurries. Overnight frosts may extend as far south as Wales again.