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.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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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.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely breezy, strongest northern England and Scotland, early gales over high Munros; easing but staying blustery northwest Scotland. Showery rain onto west coast slopes down to Wales (snow on high terrain) most of the day, some reaching further east afternoon. Greatest chance of dry weather south Pennines.
Headline for West Highlands
Blustery, gales over Lochaber tops; snow showers, most north
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30-40mph, strongest coastal Lochaber with gusts near or above 45mph. An easing trend with a southwesterly shift, 25-30mph through remaining nearer 35mph Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure; balance and stability affected all day coastal Lochaber, perhaps requiring bracing for stability. Significant wind chill with a deterioration in the later overnight hours.
How Wet?
Rain/snow showers coastal north, more widely for a time
Frequent showery bursts along the coast from Mull northward, sometimes pushing inland near and north of Loch Linnhe; snow above 800m, 700m inland. Showers more scattered south and inland, though perhaps more frequent for several afternoon hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over high terrain, some variability
Extensive over high terrain most or all day with banks regularly drifting lower in rain and snow, particularly Clyde Sea Lochs to Mull. A few higher breaks form here and there, though always a risk of cloud lowering again, notably later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Only scattered glimpses of weak sunshine early. Variable visibility as fog and precipitation comes and goes, though excellent where clear.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C; a very slight warming possible along southern coastal hills. Feeling like -13C in direct strongest wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, rising slightly on the southern islands.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 4th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Detail uncertain: southeasterly 25-40mph; becoming variable in speed and direction, trending westerly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Beware of quickly changing conditions - winds often uncomfortable in exposure, though may become arduous.
How Wet?
Early rain/snow, easing inland
Early rain/upland snow fairly widespread from Mull and Glencoe southward. A few patches drift north. Trending patchier more widely as the day goes, staying more frequent Mull and nearby coasts to the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive but variable; local improvement
Fairly extensive from dawn above 700-800m from Mull and Glencoe southward, likely lower bases near coasts. Higher bases Lochaber, a few local breaks north of Loch Linnhe, but also filling in here for periods. Some improvement south coast hills later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Excellent visibility out of cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, some variability. Feeling like -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
800-1000m, highest along the coast and some variability.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 5th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, shifting southeasterly, 30-35mph. Rising to 45-55mph, strongest coast, further deteriorating into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking affected from dawn, deteriorating first southwest then more widely into night. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain sets in widely afternoon
Patchy morning sleet/snow drifts north and fades to only isolated pockets, if any. Rain (snow on high terrain) arrives to the southern islands afternoon, spreading widely and persistent into night; heaviest falls near Loch Lomond.
Cloud on the hills?
Southern coasts and near inland often shrouded
Persistent cloud from middle slopes upward on coastal areas from Mull to Arran, as well as inland from Loch Lomond to Loch Lyon. More variable north, particularly Lochaber with some high breaks possible. Filling in more widely late into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Lochaber for a few hours, lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
No sun expected. Good visibility in northern areas at first, turning poor as cloud and rain set in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C, slightly warmer southern islands. Will rise a few degrees in the overnight hours. Feeling like -15C in wind.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined, 600-800m though frosts at lower elevations, including in glens. Rising overnight.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure circulating to the west and north will dominate the weather for the next 7 to 10 days, bringing generally unsettled weather. A brief period of slack pressure on Thursday into Friday will ease winds for a time though patchy rain will linger in several areas. Strong southwesterly winds return over the weekend bringing cloud and rain to many mountains, most persistent on southwestern slopes. Temperatures and freezing level will vary, but staying chilly with highest terrain likely near or below 0C. Several low pressure systems with then pass through next week, brining frequent periods of cloud, rain, and strong wind, likely gale force on high terrain at times. Occasional windows of dry, brighter weather will occur, best chance east.