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
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 12th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 11th Sep 26 at
4:29PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe gales from dawn on Scottish mountains ease during morning, moderate speeds by mid-afternoon, whilst gales continue on tops in England & Wales until later. An intense band of rain moves south, followed by still frequent rain, some showery bursts plus low cloud western hills. Drier later north Scotland.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales in morning easing. Rain becomes patchy, cloud capping tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 60 to 70mph from dawn, lessening gradually during morning to 30-40mph by middle of day into afternoon, shifting westerly 20-30mph afternoon into evening; lowest speeds typically inland Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions with powerful gusts to low levels early in day, moderating during morning, but remaining challenging for a few hours with considerable wind chill; smaller effects onward through afternoon.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle, heaviest at first; some showery rain then improving later
Sustained heavy rain from before dawn into the morning. Intensity soon eases, but rain continues on and off at least with frequent drizzle and odd showery bursts mixed in passing southward into the afternoon. Some drier windows emerge inland Lochaber later afternoon, more widely by evening. Very wet underfoot, fast-flowing streams.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, local breaks inland
Blanket cloud across the hills during rain, to lower slopes southern and coastal areas. Some rise of base develops during day, local breaks inland Lochaber, but rare on high tops and varying again in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, some brighter skies later in north. Visibility poor in rain, some improvement, but a haze likely.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C, briefly 10C in morning, slightly cooling from north toward evening. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 13th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 11th Sep 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West turning southwesterly 10 to 20mph, strongest early and late, rising onward into night to 35-40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small during daytime, deteriorating mainly after dark.
How Wet?
Rare light rain
An odd patch of light rain mainly coastal areas, but largely dry. Late evening into night, rain sweeps in from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches lifting and clearing
Patchy cloud around mid to upper slopes from dawn into morning, possibly mist at first also in sheltered glens. Higher summits may start above the cloud, banks then drift higher up, but tend to break above all tops with time.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable sunshine and cloud. Early slight haze, then visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8C during day, tending to rise slightly further into evening and night.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 14th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 11th Sep 26 at
4:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 45mph, speed likely to vary during the day, some notable strong gusts including on some downslopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting over the hills, very gusty in places affecting stability, not just highest terrain. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain likely to develop, risk heavy
Rain may be soon fairly persistent from Mull to Ben Nevis group, but patchy and light elsewhere, possibly largely dry for a few hours. Increasing risk of persistent rain developing widely, may set in heavier.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest coasts
Shrouding most mountains all day, from mid-slopes up around many west and south-facing groups, lower patches in rain. Highest of breaks northeast of Ben Nevis, but rare to higher slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun well inland, but largely overcast and dull. Poor visibility in rain, locally better below cloud inland at times, but a haze likely.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 to 10C, little change all day, then lowering from dusk into night to 5C. Feeling just below 0C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Staying unsettled with Atlantic lows dominating to the north; often windy, gale-force westerly winds for periods over higher terrain. Better weather this Sunday, then wind and rain returns into Monday, staying showery into Tuesday. A mixed outlook continues later next week with rain most frequent in western Scotland. Temperatures varying, some cooler days especially in Scotland, but often fairly mild further south, at times quite warm and humid. Higher pressure and better weather tends to expand further north later in month.