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.
Sunday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 25th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 24th Oct 26 at
4:12PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions across the mountains: storm-force wind, to hurricane force over Munros well into the day; severe wind chill. Frequent showers with hail in England and Scotland, persistent Scottish Highlands with snow on tops; risk of flooding. Scattered showers Wales, becoming scattered further north.
Headline for West Highlands
Severe conditions: hurricane-force wind, rain, hail, summit snow
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-northwesterly 70 to 85mph, gusts to 100mph or possibly stronger over highest mountains, strongest sustained speeds morning into midday. Will start to moderate afternoon, but sustained speeds at least 55mph on exposed tops during daylight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions, mobility very difficult, repeatedly blowing you over, or nearly impossible in exposure in strongest wind; challenging even modest hills with severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent rain, hail, upland snow; starting to lessen afternoon
Near-constant precipitation early, snow often falling above 700-800m, also hail at all elevations, mixed with rain. Will break into showery bursts, some lighter falls later but with clustered showers returning too, snow falling as low as 600m.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud base constantly changing, but often covering tops above 700m, some banks to 600m or lower especially coastal areas, more extensive in the morning. Bases will begin to lift with cloud breaking up a bit afternoon, though unlikely breaking above 800-900m and lowering again in showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sun breaking out from the south as afternoon goes. A general haze at best, visibility often poor due to precipitation, to appalling in snow and cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C. Wind chill feels like -15 to -20C in exposure, or colder in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, rising slightly in the south late in the day.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 26th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 24th Oct 26 at
4:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Soon southerly 20-25mph or less briefly, rapidly strengthening, finishing near 45-60mph, or higher into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
May be fairly small for a few early hours, but conditions increasingly challenging, later difficult with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Spotty rain/snow, then rain sets in
Some spotty rain around in the morning, snow above 800-900m. Rain sets in fairly soon, persistent until evening with heavier falls mostly west hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks on high terrain, becoming extensive
Varied banks of cloud, mostly above 700m in the morning, may lift and break up a little briefly, a few summits perhaps seeing breaks. Cloud lowers from the south, increasingly extensive to middle slopes, or lower slopes to the south. Coastal hills north of Mull see higher bases for longer.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% lowering to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few patches of weak sun to start, good visibility where out of cloud, increasingly overcast and dull afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, sharply from the south, widely reaching 11C later, little change with height. Feeling below 0C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1100m at dawn, lifting well above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 27th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 24th Oct 26 at
4:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 60-80mph, may reach 90mph+ for a few hours. Shifting westerly, beginning to lessen later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions all day, mobility challenging and more severe conditions for a few hours; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, turning to snow on tops
Frequent showers stream in from the west from dawn, soon clustering for sustained heavy falls for a few hours. Rain breaks into showers again and turns to snow on tops, later falling towards 700m.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive high terrain, regularly lowering
Slopes above 900m often shrouded from dawn, lowering around showers, and more extensively lowering to middle slopes for a few hours. Will become variable afternoon, some breaks above 1000m well-inland, but high summits likely stay shrouded.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny glimpses breaking out. Hazy at best towards coast, visibility often poor, or very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, generally lowering, to finish at 1C. Feeling like -15 to -20C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1200m in the morning, lowering to 900-1000m later before rising again overnight.
Planning Outlook
Unsettled weather persists into early next week. A relative lull in the early hours on Monday for north Scotland before the next weather system soon sweeps in from the southwest with drizzle, some heavy rain, and extensive mountain gales. Temperatures will be unseasonably mild. Rain breaks into showers for most on Tuesday with cooling temperatures, becoming snow on high terrain. Gales remain widespread, severe conditions persist over Scottish Highlands. Pressure slowly builds from the south into Wednesday and Thursday; staying blustery, cloud and some showers affecting western areas, but bright spells breaking out, briefly more settled in England and Wales. Confidence in forecast detail is low into next weekend, but western hills are likely wet again, more widely cloudy with cool to mild temperatures.