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.
Tuesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
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.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Last updated
Mon 1st Dec 25 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Hail showers will frequent west coast hills fairly widely; snow on the highest tops with risk of isolated lightning. Drier inland, particularly northeast Scotland where sunny bursts will occur. Chilly, feeling cold in a brisk southwesterly wind; this easing in Wales and south Pennines afternoon.
Headline for West Highlands
Coastal hail showers, frequent north; blustery
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 30-35mph, squally gusts over 40mph coastal Lochaber in showers, sometimes high tops inland. A general trend towards 35-40mph widely.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking from dawn with balance and stability increasingly challenged; gusts over coastal and high tops may require bracing. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail showers particularly near Mull, fewer south
Showery bursts most common over coastal hills, frequent for a time near Mull and Loch Linnhe, with hail, snow above 800m. Fewer showers inland and toward south, locally more often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, most persistent and low near coasts and Lochaber
Covering coastal slopes most of the day, bases varied 500 to 800m, most persistent and low in Lochaber during showers. Some lower banks on southern slopes in Loch Lomond NP in morning too though turning to breaks above 1000m, most often north/east of Ben Nevis. Some breaks in Argyll/Arran as well.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, rising slightly northeast, up to 50% southern islands
Sunshine and air clarity?
Few glimpses of sun mostly inland and southern islands. Visibility good when dry, but reduced in showers, often poor in Lochaber in fog and showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, the higher temperatures near coasts from Mull to Clyde Sea Lochs. Wind chill feeling around -10 to -12C.
Freezing Level
900-1000m, the highest freezing levels from Mull to Clyde Sea Lochs.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Last updated
Mon 1st Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30-40mph, risk stronger early. An easing trend is possible south, perhaps below 30mph by dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking most of the day, balance and stability will be affected. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain breaks to showers, returning north
Often raining from dawn, heavy showery bursts along the coast; driest around Arran/Argyll. Rain breaks into showers, mostly Glencoe northward, scattered to the south. Rain more broadly in Lochaber later.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive high terrain with lower banks
Extensive over high terrain most or all day with banks regularly drifting lower in rain and snow, particularly Clyde Sea Lochs to Mull. A few higher breaks form here and there, though always a risk of cloud lowering again, notably later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Only scattered glimpses of weak sunshine. Variable visibility as fog and precipitation comes and goes, though excellent where clear.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C; a very slight warming possible along the coast. Feeling like -13C in direct strongest wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 4th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 1st Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 20-30mph; trending towards lighter, variable winds afternoon, greatest chance south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Uncomfortable winds, possibly strenuous walking in exposure early; effects tending to ease though variable. A cool feel.
How Wet?
Early rain, mostly south; breaking
Early rain fairly widespread from Mull and Glencoe southward; snow on the high tops. A few patches drift north. Trending patchier more widely as the day goes, staying more frequent Mull.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive but variable; local improvement
Fairly extensive from dawn above 800-900m from Mull and Glencoe southward, likely lower bases near coasts. Higher bases Lochaber, a few local breaks north of Loch Linnhe, but also filling in here for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, some variability. Feeling like -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1000-1200m, highest along the coast and some variability.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure circulating to the west and north will dominate the weather for the next 7 to 10 days, bringing generally unsettled weather. A brief period of slack pressure on Thursday into Friday will ease winds for a time though patchy rain will linger in several areas. Strong southwesterly winds return over the weekend bringing cloud and rain to many mountains, most persistent on southwestern slopes. Several low pressure systems with continue crossing the British Isles through the week; often showery and cloudy in the west with broader bands of rain regularly passing east. Wind speed likely to vary though often quite strong with risk of gales coming and going. Brighter, drier periods will punctuate the unsettled weather next week but these likely short-lived.