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.
Friday'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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Friday 13th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Mar 26 at
6:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold widely gale force upland winds around a deep low north of Scotland, will bring a succession of snow and hail showers to the mountains. Cloud will extensively cover the mountains (the highest cloud base well inland afternoon). Much higher terrain will be below freezing point.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales; frequent squally hail and snow showers. Fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly between 40 and at times on higher Munros 50mph; particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions over the mountains, balance and sometimes general mobility a struggle. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow; risk thunder
Shower after shower; hail and above 300, later 450m snow. Sometimes nearly constant precipitation over an hour or two; whiteout likely. Isolated lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive; rarely clearing to higher slopes
Cloud base changing quickly: near precipitation shafts of cloud to 450m (or lower near coast), and almost always covering areas above 600 to 800m - generally highest base toward central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, most often well inland. Visibility varying between intermittently very good, and appalling in snow/hail and cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C; later -1C. Will feel as cold as minus 16C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500 rising to 750m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 14th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Mar 26 at
6:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly, in the range 35 to for a few hours after dawn 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or on higher tops perhaps difficult walking. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow.
Precipitation frequent or falling much of the day as shower after shower (sometimes merging one into another and whiteout).
Cloud on the hills?
Almost constantly covering the mountains
Varied cloud base: sometimes below 300-450m near precipitation but periods when most cloud above 600 to 900m. Lowest cloud base generally western mountains including near Clyde sea lochs and Loch Lomond.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly central highlands. Hazy, particularly near the coast; appalling visibility in snow
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 15th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Mar 26 at
6:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly typically between 35 and 45mph. Risk strengthening further later afternoon onwards.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued difficult walking and wind chill significant on exposed higher areas. Expect balance, and in places general mobility to be difficult.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail
Overnight general rain, finishing as snow above about 600m, soon clearing. Through day, succession of sometimes heavy hail and snow showers (most rain only lowest slopes). Isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistently covering nearly all mountains
Typically, quickly varying cloud base between 450m (locally lower) and 600m near precipitation to otherwise 700 to perhaps 1000m. Generally lowest cloud base will be on more western mountains, highest central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly lower slopes well inland. Varied visibility; appalling in precipitation but otherwise good - although a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon -2C. Will feel as cold as minus 15C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
Soon between 400 and 600m.
Planning Outlook
Further bouts of upland gales over the next few days. Precipitation on most mountains daily, focussed on western hills. Freeze thaw cycles will occur: on the Scottish Highlands, thaw periods fairly brief and snow accumulating on many slopes. Further south, lying snow more intermittent as periods of thaw will be lengthier. Temperature levels will rise from about next Tuesday and as pressure then builds, most or all mountain areas will then become largely fine.