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.
Winter sunshine
Blue skies and sparkling winter sunshine
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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.
Winter sunshine
Blue skies and sparkling winter sunshine
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 16th January 2025
Last updated
Wed 15th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Almost all mountains cloud free but low level fog coming in off the south and west coasts and rolling up some coastal uplands and mountains. Many summits warmer than their mid-slopes. Sudden increase of wind with height; very gusty gales in the Highlands. Hazy low down in some areas; superb visibility from high ground.
Headline for West Highlands
Gusty upland gales; nearly all summits cloud free
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly; strengthening markedly with height to 45, locally 50mph Lochaber. A little less windy near central belt.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions and severe wind chill, particularly Lochaber. Expect considerable buffeting in powerful gusts.
How Wet?
Rain not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Nearly all summits cloud free - low cloud Mull to Arran
Most mountains cloud free. From Arran to Mull, areas of cloud from lowest slopes up - but the top of the cloud 600 to 800m. There may also be fragments on some slopes Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive bright sunshine and excellent or superb visibility on high ground. May be dull low down near the coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C (but as low as 3C below 900m where in cloud). Slightly cooler on the mid-slopes. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 17th January 2025
Last updated
Wed 15th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45 to 55mph, highest in Lochaber. Wind easing slightly around 40mph Lochaber and 30mph further south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mobility difficult where exposed to the full strength of the wind, especially in the morning. Powerful downslope gusts may blow you over.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle on and off Lochaber
Rain and drizzle on and off through the day, most often around Lochaber. Will be most persistent near the west coast with only a little reaching Creag Meagaidh and the Central Highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud will shroud summits from lower slopes up near the west coast. Cloud base rising progressively to the east and on Creag Meagaidh will be around 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Very poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C but cooler on the mid-slopes. Low ground may be below freezing. Feeling as cold as -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 18th January 2025
Last updated
Wed 15th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Gusty southwesterly 30 to 40mph, some variation up and down through the day but possibly strongest in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Your balance will be affected on high ground. Beware gusts throwing you further off balance on down-slope slopes. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Small risk of localised drizzle
Risk of drizzle on lower slopes near Loch Lomond NP and Arran.
Cloud on the hills?
Probably very little on high ground
Cloud may fill in on lower slopes around Loch Lomond NP and Arran, particularly in the morning. A few wisps of mid-level cloud may be present in Lochaber. Summits likely to be cloud free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine, possibly weakened by high cloud. Good visibility low down if not in cloud; superb visibility on high ground.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Higher ground may be warmer or colder depending on the level of the inversion. Feeling around -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain moving in some areas from the west on Sunday and Monday before high pressure starts building again and suppressing any rainfall to pockets of drizzle. Conditions may become gloomy low down as cloud is trapped below inversion; summits likely to remain clear with superb visibility. Freeze-thaw cycles will resume on the Scottish mountains though next week.