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.
Today's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showery southwesterlies, extensively gale force over higher terrain with significant chill factor. Rain and hail, snow falling above 900m in Scotland, most frequent west coastal areas. Fewer showers eastward across Scotland and for England & Wales, with some cloud breaks toward tops.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales. Showery, hail, snow on tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, frequent squally gusts widely in showers, at times 60mph on higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting making walking arduous in exposure. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, hail, snow high tops
Generally showery, but merging into near-constant precipitation, particularly west Lochaber, heavy bursts with hail, snow falling above 900-1000m. Risk of isolated thunder, mainly toward coast. Prolonged heavy precipitation into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Covering the mountains much of the time above 800 to 1000m, but cloud bases will vary in and out of showers. Occasionally forming to 600m near coast. Some breaks higher up well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare brief glimpses of sun. Visibility occasionally very good, but often reduced by showers, at times poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, lowest inland Lochaber.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 23rd February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 50mph from dawn, easing to 30mph or less by late afternoon. Increasing again during evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking on high terrain in the morning, improving during daytime. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Early showers fade, rain later
Frequent showery precipitation overnight and for an hour or so after dawn, heavy with hail, snow above 1000m. Fading into morning to lighter showers. Later in day, rain develops from southwest, widely heavy into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops, some breaks form
Cloud base varying early in day, often covering higher slopes, patches to 700m westernmost areas. Tending to lift and break toward upper slopes, but may often cap highest tops. Lowering into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, but high cloud then thickens quickly afternoon. Some early haze, but visibility improving during day, very good where dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, then rising slightly into night. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1100 to 1200m marginal rise during day, then lifting above the summits into night.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, often 60mph higher mountains in Ben Nevis group.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking over the mountains, difficult in places higher up. Significant wind chill despite milder air.
How Wet?
Rain heaviest toward west
Persistent rain and drizzle, some heavier falls may set in near and west of Loch Linnhe. Very wet underfoot, particularly where snow melts upper-mid slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest south and coasts
Shrouding the mountains widely, from lower slopes up coast & islands, 600-800m inland Lochaber, highest near Glen Spean.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy, murky many areas, poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. In exposure to wind, feeling like -8 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Above all summits with thawing toward upper slopes.
Planning Outlook
West to southwesterly winds prevail during the week ahead as areas of low pressure move toward northwest Scotland whilst ridges of higher pressure occasionally nudge across southern Britain. Sustained gales over the mountains, only brief lulls. Temperatures will fluctuate above and below freezing on higher Scottish mountains, with periods of thaw and refreezing. England and Wales generally above freezing to tops with a substantial thaw of most upland snow. Frequent rainfall, often heavy over western mountains, at times showery with hail, some snow on Scottish Munros. The final days of February favour colder northwesterly air and a drop of freezing level.