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.
Sunday'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
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
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
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
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
Sunday 15th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Mar 26 at
12:29PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread rain - snow higher areas Scotland and finishing as snow higher summits elsewhere, will from the west clear (as temperatures drop) to squally hail and snow showers. Upland winds will be close to gale force, and although improving, still extensive low cloud.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales; frequent snow and fog - whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 40mph or near Clyde sea lochs and Loch Lomond 35mph; very gusty near precipitation. At dawn temporarily 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or difficult walking and significant wind chill where exposed.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail; whiteout
temporarily confined to higher tops, soon above 450m. By mid or late morning, succession of sometimes heavy and very frequent hail and snow showers (most rain only lowest slopes). Intermittent whiteout; isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive across the mountains; sudden drops in cloud base
Extensive fog - covering even many lower hills - for a few hours from dawn. Then quickly varying cloud base: between 450m (locally lower) and 600m near precipitation and otherwise 700 to perhaps briefly 1000m toward central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun from late morning, mainly lower slopes well inland. Varied visibility; appalling in precipitation but otherwise good - although a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon -2C, but- temporarily near 0C post dawn. Will feel as cold as minus 15C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
Soon between 400 and 600m; briefly up to 1100m at and post dawn..
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 16th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Mar 26 at
12:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southwesterly; near Clyde sea lochs 35mph most or all day. Elsewhere, 45mph morning before easing.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and arduous or at difficult walking. Balance may well be a struggle particularly morning.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Shower after shower; sometimes particularly morning the precipitation - often hail and above 300, later 600m snow - almost constant giving whiteout. Precipitation will gradually set in from the west through the afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistently covering nearly all higher areas; highest cloud base afternoon.
Cloud base will vary: near precipitation forming below 450m, sometimes 300m. Otherwise, cloud base 600m morning, and 800 to temporarily 1000m (most likely well inland) into the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun only - mainly lower slopes well inland. Persistent haze at best; appalling visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, rising toward 0C. Will feel as cold as minus 18C due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
600m, rising toward 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Mar 26 at
12:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 50 to sometimes 70mph. Very gusty; powerful gusts some lower slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and in severe gales, mobility widely difficult. Balance a struggle; you could be blown over, in places on lower slopes.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle most or all day
Frequent or incessant rain and drizzle much of region. Areas east of Loch Linnhe and north of Rannoch Moor will be frequently dry, or just a little drizzle in wind.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog; highest cloud base central highlands
Loch Lomond NP and Arran: Persistent fog, covering some south facing coastal cliffs, to widely 100-400m. Elsewhere: In rain, patches of fog from lower slopes up. But most cloud above 600, but 750 to perhaps sometimes 1000m near and north of Glen Spean.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively dull and murky. Pockets of sun here and there north toward Glen Spean, and lochs Treig and Ossian, where visibility good or sometimes excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C - small risk dropping to 2C from west.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
An abrupt transition will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Areas of low cloud, drizzly rain and strong winds will continue to affect mainly western mountains until Wednesday. But then as pressure builds north of Britain it will become extensively fine; cloud often clearing, particularly western Britain, and temperature levels more varied - fairly warm some afternoons but frost widely at night.