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
Friday 22nd January 2021
Last updated
Thursday 21st January 2021 at
2:57 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Very cold across the mountains - terrain widely frozen, very icy in places, plus lying snow in most areas. Brisk west to northwest winds will maintain a severe chill factor in exposure. Areas of snow or hail showers moving inland from western coasts.
Headline for West Highlands
Cold, windy. Snow and hail most frequent in west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Buffeting at times, risk sudden powerful squalls. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail west
Clusters of heavy snow and hail showers, may merge to give frequent snow and whiteout for periods in west. Chance isolated thunder near coast. Least precipitation toward the central highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, often covering tops
Cloud base changing quickly in and out of precipitation. Often extensive above 800-900m, and shafts of cloud sometimes below 500m. Breaks to higher tops best well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun and clear air, but near-zero visibility during snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C. Where exposed to wind on higher terrain, feeling close to -20C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen to most lower slopes away from immediate coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 23rd January 2021
Last updated
Thursday 21st January 2021 at
2:57 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 30mph, may reach 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting, risk arduous conditions. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail west
Snow and hail showers continue to come in from the west, most frequent on coastal mountains, where locally rarely ceasing. Small risk isolated thunder. Fewer showers inland toward the central highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, often covering tops
Cloud base varied: Often covering hills above 700-900m, and during showers forming below 600m. Brief breaks to higher tops, most common well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief sun and very clear air. Appalling visibility during precipitation and/or blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-6C
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen. Partial thawing lower coastal slopes up to 300-400m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 24th January 2021
Last updated
Thursday 21st January 2021 at
2:57 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction likely to vary, occasional lulls, but risk squally 30-40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
May be often small, but beware of changing conditions and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Risk periods of snow and hail
Detail uncertain: Areas of snow or hail showers, most frequent near west coast. May merge into a zone of constant snow for a few hours. Also periods where dry for several hours locally.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive around precipitation
Cloud varied - sometimes only fragments on higher slopes, with good breaks. Around showers, forming extensively and quickly below 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun and very clear air. Visibility abruptly appalling if in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen. Partial thawing to 400m on hills nearest west coast.
Planning Outlook
All mountains sub-zero through the weekend and into early next week. Terrain widely frozen with fresh snow cover to many lower slopes. Some freeze-thaw cycles may then occur, although higher Scottish mountains may rarely lift above zero for the next couple of weeks at least. Showers of snow and hail, or further significant snowfalls in some areas. Precipitation frequent into late January. Hard frosts most common in Highland glens. Very icy underfoot in places. Wind speeds varied, occasionally reaching gale force.