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
Saturday 29th February 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
Summary for all mountain areas
A complex weather situation. An early zone of rain and upland snow clears away eastwards, with cloud breaking widely. Then another area of heavy snow spreads in from the west into the afternoon. Wind speeds varied; least windy northern Scotland, but increasingly stormy across hills of England & Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Several hours dry, but risk heavy snow returning; winds varied.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction changing quickly, mostly southerly, briefly westerly; risk often 30-40mph, and for a few hours 50-60mph middle of day into afternoon. Local lulls.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often arduous walking on the hills; beware of changing conditions giving periods of difficult walking and severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Dry for several hours; snow/whiteout increasingly afternoon.
Early snow & rain will break up within a few hours of dawn, becoming generally dry for several hours. Flurries developing middle of day, then during afternoon, anticipate abruptly heavy snow, giving prolonged whiteout, spreading quickly inland from southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Temporarily clearing most summits
Extensive fog after dawn, in places, 'hanging' on some lower slopes. Will improve markedly as cloud either clears even highest tops, or persist only on higher Munros. But expect sudden deterioration as fog envelops the hills late in day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few hours of intermittent bright sunshine and excellent or superb visibility, ahead of next cloud and precipitation band during afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Temporarily near 0C at dawn, soon dropping to -4C during morning. Where exposed to strongest winds, risk feeling close to -20C high tops.
Freezing Level
Around 1000m at dawn, but soon lowering, widely down to 400m by midday.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 1st March 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence as a low centre passes close by: likely westerly 35 to 55mph, risk 70mph early in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or difficult walking conditions and severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow, perhaps incessant
Some areas may be snowing all day, with rain only lower glens. Whiteout extensive. However, there is uncertainty in the position of a band of snow and some areas may be substantially dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud will probably shroud the hills all day, from lower slopes up toward the coast. However, with uncertainty in the location of cloud and precipitation, some areas may fare better.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine and areas of very poor or appalling visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
550m
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 2nd March 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, speeds varied (detail uncertain), short lived lulls, but often 30mph, at times 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect buffeting and significant wind chill across the hills; conditions may vary through the day.
How Wet?
Snow may be frequent
Areas of showers, risk merging to give frequent precipitation over several hours, extending inland from west coast. Snow or sometimes hail, small risk thunder. Rain lower slopes around the coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud shrouding the mountains most of the day above 800m, but dropping below 500m if precipitation sets in. Briefly lifting toward higher slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mostly well inland. Visibility sometimes very good, but very poor for periods if in constant snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
600-700m, highest near west coast, may rise slightly through day.
Planning Outlook
Remaining cold into the start of March, with westerly winds generally prevailing. Scottish mountains staying sub-zero much of the time, whilst England & Wales will see periods of freeze and thaw, and snow more often confined to higher slopes. Precipitation remaining focused on western mountains. Lower terrain staying very wet underfoot. Wind speeds varied, occasional lulls, but also gales at times. Some indications of higher pressure into the second week of March.