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.
Saturday'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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 6th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 5th Dec 25 at
4:02PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Wind dropping light across much of the inland Highlands, but gusty near west coasts and staying strong for longer in the far north. Low cloud fairly widespread with patchy rain, clearer toward northwest. Southwesterly winds England, gale-force in Wales, driving in frequent heavy showery rain.
Headline for West Highlands
Frequent rain south, some heavier; low cloud. Locally gusty.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South or southeasterly 15 to 25mph, gusty in places around some tops and high passes, but locally often less. Local lulls may develop during afternoon, mainly inland Lochaber to Great Glen.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small many areas, but risk sudden gusty spots around higher mountains.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, showers, mostly south/west
Rain on and off, some heavier showery moments Loch Lomond NP and coastal areas near Clyde and Arran, possible hail; in afternoon a cluster of showery rain may move northward and further inland in south. More often dry Ben Nevis group. Some fresh snow on highest tops from overnight, beware icy surfaces.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering many hills, lowest south
Fairly extensive low cloud more southern areas all day, to mid-elevations or perhaps some lower slopes. Cloud base higher northward, but may often cover tops, some breaks west from Ben Nevis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun unlikely south, weak glimpses Lochaber, mainly in west. Misty particularly southern areas, better visibility further northwest, locally good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Wind chill feeling like -5C if exposed to stronger speeds.
Freezing Level
Above most tops, but 1100-1200m Ben Nevis group at first, soon rising to 1300m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 7th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 5th Dec 25 at
4:02PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some uncertainty: South to southeasterly, 20 to 25mph, but risk increasing, abruptly to 40mph in south; later turning SW'ly.
Effect of the wind on you?
May remain fairly small, but likely becoming more blustery, risk worsening mainly coastal areas toward the south.
How Wet?
Rain may become persistent, heavy
Patchy rain moving in from the coasts, then greater risk into afternoon of rain setting in widely, heavier particularly areas toward south.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding higher mountains likely all day, risk to lower elevations southern areas, or more widely in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy. Visibility poor if rain sets in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, small variation with height inland. Feeling like -5C or possibly colder if exposed to stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Just above freezing on highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 8th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 5th Dec 25 at
4:02PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest, later southerly, 20 to 35mph, speed likely to fluctuate, may drop briefly, then increase again during daytime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Uncertain timing and intensity of conditions, a better window possible, but be aware of changes; marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Showery rain most common coastal areas near Mull, occasional showers elsewhere, spreading inland at times, sleet on high tops, some heavier with possible hail. Risk rain sets in heavy evening into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering many tops
Frequently capping higher slopes, near to coast bases varying 600 to 900m, inland more often above 900m, with some breaks higher up mainly east of Ben Nevis group.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, glimpses of sun mainly inland Lochaber. Visibility good where dry, but reduced in rain at times, briefly poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. If exposed to stronger winds, risk feeling like -10C on high tops.
Freezing Level
1200 to 1300m.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled onward into next week with areas of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic on prevailing southwesterly winds. Temperatures often relatively mild, typically only higher tops in the Highlands intermittently just below freezing point, expect periods of thawing even up to these tops. Day-to-day weather detail will be uncertain even in short-range as complex systems develop - a series of frontal systems bringing spells of rain - any snowfall mostly confined to highest tops in Scotland; also showers at times with hail mostly near western coasts. Wind speeds will also vary, for periods reaching gale force on tops, but intermittent lulls.