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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread across all mountain areas, powerful turbulent gusts downslope toward the west in places. Prolonged upland snow southeastern Highlands into southern Cairngorms, increasingly rain to mid-heights. Further rain also spreads north across Wales then the Pennines. Low cloud widely.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales, severe high tops. Snow/rain mostly central highlands.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 45 to 60mph; to 70mph over Ben Nevis early morning; notable downslope gusts, particularly west Lochaber. Slight moderating of speed for a few hours early afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, mobility limited and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Upland snow southern inland areas, turning more to rain.
Frequent snow over hills from Loch Lomond to Rannoch Moor, sleet or rain up to 600-700m, turning wetter to 900m or above in afternoon; very wet underfoot lower terrain central highlands. Patchier west and northward, mostly dry north of Mull. Near coast around Clyde to Arran, sleet or mostly rain much of day to tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud, more broken W Lochaber
Likely to cover many hills around Loch Lomond NP and northward, to Creag Meagaidh; cloud variably to some midslopes in south/southern islands. Higher cloud base northwestward, some breaks to tops mainly coastal Lochaber
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly near and west of Loch Linnhe where visibility locally good, otherwise cloudy and rather hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to -2C, coldest inland Lochaber in morning, tending to rise gradually; typically 0 or +1C all day along the coast. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Varied, 700 to 800m from dawn inland, locally may be lower briefly, but near or just above freezing on many coastal tops; tending to rise widely to 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 45 to 60mph, powerful gusts downslope to the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions; walking and balance difficult in exposed areas, buffeting gusts lower down; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly hills east of Loch Lomond
Snow mostly toward central highlands, sleet or rain low-mid slopes. Some flurries spilling northwest to Ben Nevis & Creag Meagaidh, very little further west. Light rain or sleet on and off Arran & Kintyre.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest south, breaks northwest
Shrouding most of Loch Lomond NP and nearby coastal hills toward Arran all day, to some mid-slopes on southern aspects. Higher base northwest, often capping high tops, but some breaks west of Ben Nevis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 40% west of Loch Linnhe.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun west Lochaber, where visibility good below cloud, though some haze. Otherwise cloudy, sustained whiteout if in cloud and falling/blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C inland, up +1C tops nearest coasts and on the islands. Directly in the wind feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
600 to 800m inland, lowest in Creag Meagaidh to Loch Ossian area, but may be just above freezing some coastal tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly, speed may vary, possibly tending to lessen during day, in range 30 to 50mph, gusty downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions may persist over much higher terrain, buffeting gusts lower down. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Patchy hill snow
Snow flurries over hills mostly Loch Lomond NP into central highlands, sleet or rain up to 600m, or higher near coast. Small amounts northwestwards into Lochaber, locally often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks northwest
Often covering many high tops, lowest cloud base Loch Lomond NP, also around Arran, to some mid-slopes. Higher base and some breaks Lochaber, best in west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly west of Loch Linnhe where visibility good. Hazier south, poorer in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, but locally up to +1C some coastal high terrain and on islands. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
700 to 900m, lowest well inland; further west above freezing to some upper slopes near coasts and on islands.
Planning Outlook
East to southeasterlies continue through the weekend and onward into next week, frequently strong to gale-force over the mountains, giving severe chill factor. Below freezing across high terrain in Scotland, and into early next week a lowering freezing level over hills in England and Wales. Frequent or persistent snowfall over east and southern Scottish mountains, rain on lower slopes causing flooding in the short term. Patchier and small amounts reaching coastal regions in west-northwest Scotland. Areas of rain and increasingly hill snow push across England and Wales as low pressure remains dominant. Low cloud often covering many hills.