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
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.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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
Thursday 22nd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales in north England and Scotland, severe on the high Munros, gusting to storm force in the north; severe wind chills. Frequent or persistent rain across most mountains, falling as snow onto the high Munros from dawn, the snow level lowering with time; snow will be heavy with whiteout conditions in east Scotland.
Headline for West Highlands
Often raining, turning to snow on Munros; severe gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 45 to 60mph, in places 70mph around Ben Nevis; powerful gusts downslope toward west as well. May well strengthen further after nightfall.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, mobility challenging and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent/persistent rain, more patchy Lochaber
Frequent or persistent rain from morning from the Clyde Sea Lochs towards the central highlands and Creag Meagaidh. With time, rain transitions to snow on high terrain of central highlands. Rain more patchy into Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, more broken W Lochaber
Likely to cover many hills around the southern islands to the central highlands, to some middle or lower slopes in south. Higher cloud base northwestward, some local higher breaks northwest of Loch Linnhe, but high tops will struggle to clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly near and west of Loch Linnhe where visibility locally good, otherwise cloudy. Visibility poor in rain, very poor where in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
+1C inland, to start the day, up to 3C in Lochaber. Temperature lowers from the east with time to -1C or locally cooler, staying at or just above freezing on coastal slopes. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Just on highest tops from dawn. Dropping through the day, reaching 600m well inland by evening. More variable on coastal slopes, between 700-900m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 50mph; to 65mph over Ben Nevis early; notable downslope gusts, particularly west Lochaber.
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?
Snow southern inland areas
Frequent snow over hills from Loch Lomond to Rannoch Moor, patchier west and northward, mostly dry north of Mull. Near coast around Clyde to Arran, may fall as rain to some upper slopes.
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)
-1 to -2C inland, dropping a degree afternoon. Nearer 0C along the coast. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Variable in west, 700-900m near coast, but 600-800m inland and east; dropping to 600m more widely well inland.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 45 to 60mph, powerful gusts downslope to the west; may start to lessen with time - uncertain.
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.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale force easterlies over most mountains into the weekend, powerful gusts downslope toward west; severe chill factor. Colder air and lowering freezing level moves into Scotland on Friday, much mountain terrain then frozen into the weekend and early next week. Substantial snowfalls over eastern Scottish hills later this week, drier to the west. Dropping just below freezing on high tops in England and Wales - a mix of rain and high level snow, turning colder further south over the weekend, with freezing level dropping to the southern Pennines summits next week. Circulating low pressure and cold air into next week, with further snowfalls likely. Lower wind speeds early in the new week, but then likely increasing E-SE'ly again.