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
Monday 20th September 2021
Last updated
Sun 19th Sep 21 at
3:49PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Low cloud and generally damp conditions will affect western Scotland. Total rainfall small, although some steadier rain will develop as a front moves in. SW'ly winds strongest in the far north. Elsewhere a fine day with broken cloud and sun, some early fog patches.
Headline for West Highlands
Dampness and low cloud spilling increasingly inland.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, tending to strengthen from 15 to 25mph through morning; locally 30mph for a few hours around early afternoon in Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small southern areas, but increasingly blustery by middle of day on western tops and near Ben Nevis.
How Wet?
A little rain, mostly western hills
Drizzly showers, mostly hills near and west of Loch Linnhe including Mull; the west coast may be frequently damp. Patchy drizzly rain tending to drift inland at times with some steadier light rain for a time during afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowering from west
Banks of cloud across some hills in the morning, although breaks above 1000m well inland for a time. Low cloud increasingly filling in to lower slopes across the west coast, with a general lowering of cloud base onto the hills inland through the day, by afternoon most hills covered above 800m inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% dropping to 10% from west
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine will tend to give way as cloud thickens, soonest near and west of Loch Linnhe. Visibility starting good but becoming hazier, mistier toward coasts. Some early fog pockets inland glens.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 21st September 2021
Last updated
Sun 19th Sep 21 at
3:49PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening through day, 20 to 35mph, later 40mph, perhaps 50mph around Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked increase of speed with height, walking becoming arduous on hills, plus powerful gusts into passes & corries.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain
Often only spots in the wind, but risk constantly drizzly and damp some hills, mainly western areas toward coast, focused near and west of Loch Linnhe out to Mull.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive low cloud
Blanket low cloud may well shroud the mountains throughout the day, to lower slopes near the west coast. Highest bases toward upper Glen Spean and east of Ben Lomond. Some breaks possible above 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% west, 40% well inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun, glimpses mainly well inland. A general haze, risk often murky coasts; sometimes good visibility well inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C if in cloud, otherwise around 10C; only small change with increasing height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Last updated
Sun 19th Sep 21 at
3:49PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest may turn westerly, risk 60-70mph around dawn, likely easing, soon typically between 25 and 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Stormy conditions at first are likely to lessen, but expect arduous walking conditions and marked wind chill most of the day.
How Wet?
Early rain, then showery
A belt of heavy rain is likely to soon clear southwards in the morning, but followed by showery rain, becoming increasingly frequent on western hills. Drier toward the central Highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive on higher terrain
Extensive cloud at various levels across the hills at first, tending to lift and break toward higher slopes, but is likely to cover most summits frequently through the day, bases varied in and out of rain. Best breaks developing well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly inland areas. Visibility fairly good away from rain, but a general slight haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Starting at 8C, but lowering through day to around 5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but by dusk will have dropped close to highest tops (around 1400m).
Planning Outlook
High pressure will drift southwards and southwesterly winds will strengthen across Britain in the first half of the week, soonest across Scotland. Staying windy through into next weekend, gales or sometimes severe gales on higher mountains, particularly Scotland. Rain will become frequent in western Scotland as fronts come in from the Atlantic. Spells of rain elsewhere - less wet for Wales and southern Pennines, although a risk of heavier rain moving further south by the weekend. Temperatures will vary through the next 10 days, sometimes fairly warm and humid, but chiller air spreading from the northwest at times - Scottish high tops occasionally near freezing point.