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
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.
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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 14th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Dec 25 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive rain, sustained heavy falls over many western mountains, expect flooding. Smaller amounts of rain toward the N/E Cairngorms, also S/E Wales and Peak District. Widespread gales, powerful gusts around high tops, locally downslope to east. Blanket cloud across hills, lowest in west.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales, severe high terrain. Prolonged heavy rain, low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-55mph, in places over 60mph around higher mountains, local powerful gusts downslope. Tending to strengthen up to dusk, reaching 70mph for a time. Easing into night to 30mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions over the mountains. Strong gusty winds will challenge balance and stability all day, including less exposed slopes. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain rarely ceasing, sustained heavy falls; flooding
Rain across all areas throughout the day with constant heavy falls increasingly setting in. Occasional lower intensity rain mainly morning, smallest amounts typically toward Creag Meagaidh, but still generally wet. Streams in spate, flooding making some paths impassable.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive low cloud
Shrouding the mountains widely, bases mostly between 400-600m, most persistently low toward coast/lochs. Higher bases well inland Ben Alder to Creag Meagaidh, 700-900m, rare breaks, but lowering further at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
No sun expected, often dull. Visibility widely poor, better locally out of cloud near Rannoch Moor, but still often reduced by rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, small variation with altitude; then lowering rapidly into night to 1C. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but into night a quick drop from west toward 1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 15th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Dec 25 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some uncertainty, speed may vary; southwesterly 15 to 30mph, strongest in Lochaber and out to Mull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though winds may be suddenly uncomfortable in exposure particularly around Ben Nevis group.
How Wet?
Showers onto coastal hills
Scattered showers onto coastal hills from Islay/Jura northward, some drifting inland and around Loch Linnhe, falling as snow above 900m. Showers increase in frequency and intensity with time afternoon in the west.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, some breaks
Banks often covering high terrain; lowest bases near the coast, variable between 700-1000m, lowest banks on southern aspects. Patchier further inland across Lochaber, some breaks to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun north but mostly overcast, a veil of high cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Feeling as cold as -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Last updated
Sat 13th Dec 25 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph. Strengthening onward into night to gales, risk becoming severe.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on exposed higher terrain, considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery coasts, snow and hail
Showers most frequent toward coasts and on islands, falling as snow above 800-900m, also hail at times. Some moving inland, but fewer east of Ben Nevis. Near to Arran may also see fewer showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, some breaks inland
Often capping coastal tops, base varying in and out of showers, mostly 700 to 900m, brief lower patches. Inland often above 900m, with higher breaks in Lochaber. Some lower fog banks in south in morning.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility often very good out of cloud, but intermittently poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Slight frost inland glens in morning.
Planning Outlook
Prolonged rain will leave flooding of streams and rivers in many mountain areas early in the new week, with the exception of northeastern Scotland. A frontal system will eventually pass eastwards Monday-Tuesday, wind easing; dropping to freezing above 900m, beware of ice forming on higher Scottish mountains. Drier conditions for many on Tuesday, though showery near west coast of Scotland. By Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. A risk of more heavy rain particularly England and Wales later in the week. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, possibly chillier with time.