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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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.
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
Sunday 17th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 16th May 26 at
4:04PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scattered showers for most through morning, early low cloud (lowest west) rises to and above many summits for several hours. Showers become frequent and heavy afternoon, risk of isolated lightning and hail; showers most of the day in Scotland. Breezy in exposure, strong gusts near showers, and quite chilly.
Headline for West Highlands
Showers all day, early snow tops; chilly and breezy, may ease
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-30mph, strongest in the south. Chance trending lighter later in the day and perhaps direction varying.
Effect of the wind on you?
Making walking uncomfortable on exposed high terrain, particularly in the south early in the day with notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers all day, snow high tops
Showers stream in from the west from dawn as overnight rain clears north from around dawn. Increasing risk of heavier showery bursts forming, becoming concentrated further inland as afternoon goes. Snow on highest tops and risk of hail & thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting toward high tops, some breaks
Often capping many hills above 600 to 900m in morning, lowest near coast. Bases tending to rise, then varying in and out of showers, some breaks to higher slopes, though often capping tops above 1100m; always staying lowest towards the coast, breaks above 900m rare.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, a little sun breaking out in the south later. Visibility very good, but reduced in showers, and perhaps very poor or briefly whiteout on snow-capped high summits.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3 or 4C afternoon. Feeling as low as -5C in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m early morning, rising just above freezing to highest summits into afternoon; may stay near 1200m Lochaber coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 18th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 16th May 26 at
4:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 10-15mph, 20mph at times along coast. Gusts to 25mph around showers, and strengthening overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but likely more noticeable on coastal tops, gusts may affect balance.
How Wet?
Risk local showers
Patchy rain in morning, an odd showery burst of rain forming, greater risk well inland during the afternoon, drifting northward with a risk of heavy bursts and thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to higher tops, some breaks
Varied cloud banks in the morning, mostly lifting to upper slopes and clearing from many tops, though may come and go on highest summits, risk lowering locally in showers with ragged patches.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable cloud, glimpses of sun, locally sunnier near coast later afternoon; high cloud builds from southwest later. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 5 or 6C; coolest near coast. If exposed to stronger wind, feeling near -5C on tops.
Freezing Level
1100-1200m at dawn, plus slight frost inland glens. Rising above all tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 19th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 16th May 26 at
4:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 35-50mph early with notable gusts. Trending southwesterly with time, easing to 25-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking with considerable buffeting and wind chill early; easing, but remaining strenuous well into the day.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Near-constant rain from before dawn breaks into frequent showers, these at times merging into broader areas of rain, most persistent south coastal areas. Slippery rock surfaces and risk of isolated hail and thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Most hills shrouded to at least middle slopes in the morning, many areas to lower slopes. A lifting trend with time, bases finishing near 900m inland with some high breaks. Coastal hills will struggle to clear above 500-700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Chance of some sunny bursts later in the day but otherwise cloudy. Visibility largely poor in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, rising to 7 or 8C. Feeling like -5 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
May be near freezing just on the high tops at dawn, but soon lifting above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A mixed but milder outlook. Showery bursts of rain Monday, passing eastwards; by later Monday, strengthening southerly winds and rain moving into Wales from the southwest. Damp south-southwesterlies then prevail for a few days as mid-week approaches with regular showers, most on western hills where drizzly rain may persist between showers. Expect increasingly wet conditions underfoot, slippery rock surfaces. Also, a risk of isolated hail and lightening in the showers. Indications of high pressure building over the continent later in the week, brining milder and drier conditions to England and Wales. However, some drizzle and low cloud may continue to affect western hills, with periods of rain and wind continuing to affect Scotland. This trend may continue into the weekend, though detail currently uncertain.