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.
Thursday'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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 21st May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Morning rain in Scotland passes north, afternoon drizzle, rain returns in evening to central/west Munros; slick rock surfaces. Early rain soon clears English hills, afternoon drizzle in Lakeland. Morning drizzle in Wales fades, hills increasingly clear. Strong gusty wind too, local gale-force gusts. Warm Pennines and Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Rain and drizzle, poor visibility; very windy early, powerful gusts
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, soon strengthening after dawn to a gusty 35-40mph, strongest gusts approaching 50mph briefly. Easing from midday, settling near 25-30mph as afternoon goes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Through morning, arduous walking with considerable buffeting and wind chill; notable effort required to maintain stability. Effects ease afternoon but walking stays impeded.
How Wet?
Morning rain and evening rain, drizzle between
Rain sets in from the south around dawn, for several hours, largely clearing north by early afternoon. A persistent drizzle after the rain above 800-1000m in cloud, likely lower south of Mull towards Loch Lomond. Patchy rain returns later afternoon and may set in again near the coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Fog from 300-600m upward in the morning, lowest towards the coast, to low trailheads southern islands. A lifting trend through afternoon, locally to 700-900m Glen Spean. Loch Lomond to Mull will struggle to clear above 600m, and likely lowering again in evening rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Mostly poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, warming from south to 10C, 11C well inland. Little change with height and staying elevated well into nighttime. Feeling near or below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 22nd May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 30-40mph dawn, strongest south; gusty, downslope too. Easing to 20-30mph, strongest west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, notably south early, balance affected in gusts including low terrain; feeling chilly. Easing somewhat.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, some drizzle, dry windows
Patchy rain drifts from the southwest, greatest risk in the morning and evening near and north of Mull and Ben Nevis. Dry windows are probable midday and afternoon, though a lingering drizzle on the summits.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive early, most improvement inland north
Extensive at dawn west coast to 400-600m, higher inland at first but soon lowering as cloud moves in. As midday approaches, bases lift, 800-900m Glen Spean. Southern Islands to Loch Lomond unlikely clearing above 600-700m, though some chance of breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, rare glimpses of weak sunshine. Very good visibility where out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C rising to 10 or 11C, mildest inland and north; least rise Lochaber coast. Feeling near freezing in early wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 23rd May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-30mph, often gusting 35mph over high terrain, sustained speeds approaching 35mph Lochaber coast later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Locally fairly small, though nuisance gusts over most high terrain. Walking strenuous north and west with time, feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Substantially dry
Some fine drizzle around high Lochaber summits and perhaps Ben Nevis range too. A small chance of an odd spot of light rain here too, but most hills entirely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lifting to high terrain with breaks
Fairly extensive above 700m at dawn, lowest Mull to south islands, banks to 500m. Lifting with a breaking trend, to banks above 900-1000m afternoon, summit breaks likely inland. Some thin banks linger near 800m Mull and south islands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun (weakened by a thin layer of high cloud). Visibility increasingly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C, mildest southern islands where may rise to 10C; only to 8C north of Mull. Feeling near freezing in direct wind later.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Pressure rises into the weekend, facilitating south-southwesterly flow; much milder temperatures arriving, likely warm in England and Wales with wind easing. Staying blustery in north Scotland, gusty too, including to lower slopes early; still feeling chilly on high Scottish tops. Patchy rain and hill cloud will continue to affect Scotland as well, most often in the west. Becoming dry and sunny England and Wales, some early low fog possible, particularly on aspects near the Irish Sea, but this dissipating soon after sunrise. Higher pressure is indicated into next week as well with hot temperatures: valleys approaching the mid-to-high 20s. Some hill cloud, mostly north and west, but most hills seeing plenty of sunshine. Only rare spots of light rain if any.