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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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+
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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 11th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely very difficult mountain conditions in severe or storm force upland winds. From west, rapid snow melt commencing and extensive fog - giving whiteout in some areas. Underfoot areas of ice, in some areas on lower slopes.
Headline for West Highlands
Storm force wind; rain and low cloud. Snow pack increasingly melting.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, in range 60mph with powerful gusts. Marginal temporary easing afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains; mobility widely challenging. Sometimes difficult to stand, in places sudden ferocious gusts reaching lower slopes, Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow soon turning to heavy rain
Snow and freezing rain starts overnight. Through morning from west all turning to rain. Heavy or torrential rain widely - though less heavy near and north of Glen Spean. Increasingly wet underfoot - augmented by snow melt.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog on almost all summits
Incessant fog from lowest slopes most or all Loch Lomond NP and near the coast elsewhere. Highest cloud base near/north of Glen Spean and Lochs Ossian and Treig, but few breaks above 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected; widely dull and at best misty; appalling or near zero visibility in cloud above snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C but soon +1 to 3C, small variation of temperature with height. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Soon above summits, but much terrain frozen and widely icy despite increasing snow melt.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 12th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to perhaps in morning 70mph (most likely Lochaber).
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking widely challenging, frequent buffeting even lower elevations, particularly Lochaber. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain much of day, snow high tops
Frequent to constant precipitation most of the region, often heavy near/west of Loch Linnhe; smaller amounts Loch Lomond to Arran. Falling as snow above around 900-1000m. Very wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest coasts
Covering the hills most or all day above 800m, often 500-600m coasts and islands. Some higher bases at times mainly north and east of Rannoch Moor.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare or no sun. A general haze; visibility very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Wind chill feeling around -15C where directly exposed on tops.
Freezing Level
1100m, chance of lowering further after dark.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 13th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in forecast: Most likely southwest or westerly 20mph, although there cold be a lull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Probably small.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain; snow higher areas
Unlikely to be dry at least near the coast north from Mull and Loch Etive where showery rain, or above 700m snow, may well be on and off. Fewer showers, with increasing chance of dry during daylight progressively eastwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive
Higher areas probably cloud covered, but in rain, particularly near the coast, cloud base may drop below 400m for periods. There may be breaks above 900m, particularly well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or perhaps no sunshine. Visibility sometimes very good although in rain poor or in snow appalling.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C
Freezing Level
800 to perhaps 950m.
Planning Outlook
High rainfall and intermittently windy across most mountains areas next week as a series of Atlantic lows cross Britain. From Tuesday day to day confidence very low due to uncertainty in timing and tracking of lows. Over England and Wales, temperatures on higher summits will intermittently be below freezing point: snow may accumulate on highest summits. Freeze thaw cycles will occur on the Scottish Highlands, although above 900m periods of thaw may well be brief, with progressive enhancement of the snowpack likely.