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
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 16th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 15th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showery in western Scotland, with hail, snow on higher mountains; fewer showers eastwards, more sun and higher cloud breaks. Strongest winds in NW Highlands, up to gale force tops. England and Wales largely dry and bright, patchy cloud western tops.
Headline for West Highlands
Windy particularly toward NW. Showers with hail.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph, strongest in Lochaber out to Mull, tending to increase a little during daytime, squally gusts in showers. Strengthening onward into night to gales, beyond midnight reaching 60-70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on exposed higher terrain, considerable wind chill. Deteriorating into night.
How Wet?
Showery coasts near Mull, snow and hail
Showers most frequent toward coasts and on islands, falling as snow above 800-900m, also hail, chance isolated lightning mainly near Mull. Some showers moving inland, less east of Ben Nevis. Fewer showers toward Arran.
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, beware icy surfaces on tops. Slight frost inland glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 15th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50 to 60mph, often 70mph higher Ben Nevis group, powerful gusts downslope to north in morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, walking difficult in exposure, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes.
How Wet?
Heavy rain then showers
Rain and initially snow above 700-900m before dawn, soon turning to rain to higher slopes, persistent for several hours, widely heavy. Later breaking up into showers, possible hail near coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the hills widely all day, from mid-to-lower slopes in morning, then some rise of base during daytime, but rare if any breaks to upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky. Skies may brighten and visibility improving if rain breaks up.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon up to 3C in morning, later starting to fall to 1C. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Varying, 800-1000m pre dawn, rising above highest summits for several hours, then later dropping to 1100-1200m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 18th December 2025
Last updated
Mon 15th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 40 to 60mph, possibly lessening for a time mainly in southern areas later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ongoing arduous conditions over higher terrain, walking often difficult in exposure, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, some snow tops
Showery, risk merging into more constant rain, heavy at times, possible hail near Mull, or falling as snow morning and evening as low as 900-1000m.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some breaks north
Covering most hills all day, from mid-slopes up coasts and south. Some higher breaks inland Lochaber, lowering in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, visibility varying, good intermittently if dry, but reducing to poor if rain or hill snow becomes constant.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, rising for a time, then likely to lower again from west into evening.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled southwesterly weather pattern continues mid-late this week. On Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. Showery conditions then persist in western Scotland, with hail and snow on high tops. Scottish mountains often near or below freezing above 900m, only brief thawing higher up. Meanwhile, England and Wales stay mild midweek with more heavy rain likely into Thursday, then lowering to freezing on high tops for periods from Friday. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, fog and frost more common.