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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely windy, severe gales in Scotland. Rain in the western Scottish highlands edges into central highlands with time; early drizzle over many high slopes, lingering in Scotland, Lakeland, and Snowdonia. Sun breaking out afternoon over Wales and the Pennines with milder temperatures, though a chill in wind.
Headline for West Highlands
Severe gales; often drizzly, periods of broader rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50-65mph, risk up to 70mph coastal Lochaber afternoon. Powerful gusts over high terrain, and possibly lower slopes too. An easing trend into and overnight, staying at least 50mph during daylight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mobility widely difficult with significant wind chill; you could be blown over in powerful gusts, including to some lower slopes.
How Wet?
Often drizzly, periods of rain too
Several hours of rain in the morning (briefly dry at/just before dawn). Remaining drizzly on high terrain after rain passes, dry periods well inland. The drizzle most persistent west of Loch Linnhe, rain arriving here afternoon, spreading widely again for several hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, highest cloud base central highlands
Loch Lomond NP and Arran: Persistent fog, covering some south facing coastal cliffs from 200-400m up all day. Further inland, bases often nearer 600-700m, to some higher breaks northward around Glen Spean, but later more extensive with arrival of rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely overcast and dull. Glimpses of sun here and there north toward Glen Spean and east of Ben Nevis where visibility momentarily good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, mildest Lochaber/Creag Meagaidh. Beginning to lower afternoon, to 2C by dusk, lowering further overnight. Feeling like -10 to 13C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, lowering to touch the highest summits as dusk approaches, lowering overnight towards 900-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 20-30mph, stronger gusts in exposure; easing and shifting W'ly, 15mph north, less than 10mph south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking with buffeting and wind chill in exposure to start, gradually easing to mostly small effects.
How Wet?
Most hills dry
A few light showers affecting coastal Lochaber, falling as snow from 700m up at first, the snowfall level rising. Later, an increased risk of patchy rain from Islay to Loch Lomond.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable early, lifting
From dawn, banks of cloud at variable heights, including lower slopes, particularly in the south; some summits above cloud layers. Most cloud will lift to high terrain, some higher breaks, best clearing inland north of Glencoe.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Best sunshine well-inland, more of a patchwork near the coast, though high cloud weakening the sun. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C from dawn, lifting to 3 to 4C, up to 5C possible near Arran. Feeling like -10C in early wind.
Freezing Level
900m from dawn, lifting to 1200m, off the summits south of Mull.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Small chance of some early light rain around Loch Lomond, though soon clear, and perhaps none at all.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly just banks on high terrain well inland
Some fog in sheltered glens at dawn, some banks further upslope towards the north but largely below 600m. After sunrise, fog lifts and substantially dissipates, though banks likely come and go from Islay eastwards towards Loch Lomond and Bridge of Orchy, mostly 900m and above.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C, mildest south, most hills rising to at least 5C, perhaps to 7C near Clyde sea lochs.
Freezing Level
Likely above the summits, though may just touch high tops towards the north in the morning (including Ben Nevis).
Planning Outlook
Pressure begins to rise on Wednesday, bringing fairly widely settled conditions across the country. Some cloud and spotty light rain lingers in north England/south Scotland for a few days, elsewhere becoming mostly sunny; valley fog in many lowland areas early, lifting and dissipating after sunrise for clear hills. Generally milder temperatures and light wind but the occasional stronger gust. East Scotland stays cooler for a time, some overnight frosts possible under clear-sky nights. Over the weekend, first indications of a cool easterly wind building, perhaps some patchy rain here and there. Into next week, detail is uncertain; low pressure may occasionally unsettle the weather, brining cooler, wetter, and windier periods.