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.
Today'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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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
Tuesday 27th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions - storm-force winds on mountains, damaging gusts to some lower terrain. Extensive hill snow for N England & S Scotland, snow setting in heavier with time for southern Highlands; blizzard conditions widely, rain only lower slopes. Showery bursts follow in Wales with risk of hail and thunder.
Headline for West Highlands
Severe gales. Snow/rain increasingly setting in south; whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 55-70mph, reaching sustained 80mph on higher tops, with powerful gusts downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely difficult conditions - mobility likely only by crawling in full force of wind and gusts. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Most hill snow south and inland
Snow setting in central highlands, becoming heavy Loch Lomond to Rannoch Moor. Falling as rain or sleet below 400m inland, or to some upper slopes near coast/islands. Patchier amounts northwest across Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly southern/central mountains
From the southern islands towards Loch Lomond and the central highlands, cloud shrouds high terrain, down to middle slopes in snow. More broken and on high terrain around Ben Nevis range/Lochaber, local breaks to summits west of Loch Linnhe.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% south, to 30% northwest.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some brighter periods west of Loch Linnhe where good visibility, though a general haze most areas, and appalling in snowfalls; whiteout southern mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, locally up to 0C on coastal slopes. Feeling like -18 to -23C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
400-500m. Locally much more variable near coast and on islands, above freezing point to some higher elevations. Rising variably to 800m or above evening-night.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 28th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30 to 50mph - strongest toward coast and on islands, may ease further.
Effect of the wind on you?
Risk of challenging conditions western areas, less further inland but blustery and gusty in places. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow flurries mostly well inland
Many western mountains often dry. Local snow flurries mostly toward central highlands, sleet or rain below 700m.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, higher coast & NW
Covering many mountains all day, to mid-slopes southern areas. Higher bases and some breaks toward tops near the coast and northwest across Lochaber.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak sun through high cloud mostly west. Slight haze south and near coast, better visibility lower terrain in Lochaber.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
800 to 1000m, highest toward coast and islands.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 29th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty downslope west of major summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking on exposed higher terrain, buffeting gusts locally lower down. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional light snow inland
Small amounts of flurries most common toward the central highlands, very little if any reaching coast and west Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied higher tops, breaks west
Cloud banks drifting over higher slopes above 800 to 1000m, higher and broken westwards, clearer west of Loch Linnhe.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mostly toward coast, visibility generally good out of cloud, perhaps slight haze. Navigation more difficult in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C inland areas, up to +1C locally over coastal mountains. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
700m well inland, higher westwards and more variable, just above freezing to some upper slopes near coast and on islands.
Planning Outlook
Strong east or southeasterly winds likely to prevail onward into early February. Scottish mountains are expected stay below freezing in the extended range, fresh heavy snowfalls giving substantial depths and drifts across south and eastern areas, much less snow northwestward. Hills in England and Wales will see varying freezing levels, sub-zero for periods to 600m or lower, but intermittently lifting just above the tops - a mix of rain and upland snowfall. A generally unsettled pattern with Atlantic lows continuing to frequently circulate over Britain on a southerly track, whilst high pressure resides away to the north.