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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 5th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 4th May 26 at
3:54PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold Scottish Highlands, high terrain stays frozen. Snow flurries north and east, more persistent later east. Well scattered showers south Scotland, afternoon showers over the Pennines, later east Lakeland; varied cloud on high northern slopes. A few odd showers north Wales with patchy cloud, dry south.
Headline for West Highlands
Cloud lifting mostly to summits, a few snow flurries, mostly inland
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 10-15mph, risk stronger wind for a time high northern tops and coastal Lochaber, to 25mph high summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small most of the day, though a risk of a period of stronger wind over summits which will affect stability.
How Wet?
Few snow showers, substantially dry
A few snow showers will drift from the north, though many hills remain substantially dry. Falling as rain below 500-600m with time; highest rain level Glen Coe and south, where a risk of more precipitation late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks mostly on high inland terrain
Scattered fog banks to middle slopes in the morning, most extensive well-inland. Fog lifts and breaks through morning, mostly just high inland terrain by afternoon and well-broken. A few summits breaks, variably lower in showers, and returning to coastal summits with time too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, more extensive along the coast for a few hours. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0C, milder Glen Coe to southern islands, locally 2C.
Freezing Level
900-1100m at dawn, lowest north where may be near 800m. A slight rise, notably southern islands, but cooler air from the north preventing substantial rise.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 6th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 4th May 26 at
3:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable trending southerly, 10 to 20mph, may become gustier 25mph in places during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but feeling noticeably chillier if exposed to wind on higher tops.
How Wet?
Scattered showers, of snow on tops
Local showers mostly near coast at first, then inland by afternoon, snow flurries above 800-900m, lower coastal Lochaber, possible soft hail; risk of a local cluster in Lochaber over an hour or so, but some locations staying fully dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, lifting above tops
Some patchy cloud forming on mid to upper slopes in the morning, but rising to higher tops then most cloud above the hills by midday onward. Odd ragged patches may return around showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun, thin high cloud; tending to cloud over especially inland afternoon. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C at first, rising to +1 or 2C afternoon, mildest Loch Lomond/southern islands.
Freezing Level
600-800m from dawn, plus patchy frost inland glens if skies are clear. Rising to 900-1100m, highest Mull southward.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 7th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 4th May 26 at
3:54PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-25mph, strongest west and a strengthening trend, top speeds to 35-40mph coastal Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded in exposure, conditions increasingly strenuous along the coast and highest tops; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain
Spots of rain from dawn, perhaps well-scattered for a time, but may increase in frequency afternoon, falling as flurries from 1100m up. Some risk of heavier, persistent falls later in Lochaber too.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied early, rising to summits, some breaks
Banks of cloud above 600-700m near south coastal areas, nearer 800m and up well-inland but may be fairly extensive at dawn. Lifting to largely above 1200m, breaks off summist too. Later, risk more extensive cloud over Lochaber.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, a few glimpses of sun. Mixed visibility, often excellent but poor during rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C lifting to 4C. Feeling like -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000m, a few patchy frosts in well-inland glens. Lifting to 1200-1300m.
Planning Outlook
Chilly through mid-week, particularly across the Scottish Highlands where morning freezing level sometimes below 800m; patchy frosts developing in the glens and corries, though always thawing soon after sunrise. Wednesday is likely the chilliest day. Mixed weather with showers drifting around the country, though total rainfall will be fairly small. Wind often light as well, though variable afternoon breezes will form, particularly around showers where gusts may be suddenly strong. Local low fog in the mornings, typically lifting towards high terrain, often above summits though regions for best breaks are uncertain; often cloud with just glimpses of sun for most. Next weekend sees more unsettled weather, a stronger easterly wind establishing over England and Wales with more frequent, heavy showers here.