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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
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
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread sub-zero temperatures and wind, gales in northern England and Scotland; wind chill approaching -20C or lower on high summits. Near-constant snow showers in northern Scotland with snowdrifts building; snow showers into central/west Scotland and west Wales too. Mostly sunny southern Scotland and England.
Headline for West Highlands
Snow showers near coasts and north; gales, bitterly cold
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph, strongest sustained speeds over Ben Nevis group reaching 50mph; squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill over the mountains. Walking arduous, often challenging on exposed high terrain with frequent buffeting.
How Wet?
Snow mostly along the coast (with some hail) and northern Munros
Ongoing snow showers running southward over coastal areas, as well as inland Lochaber towards Creag Meagaidh, a few showers reaching southward towards Glencoe; snow and hail falling and accumulating to sea level. Driest south of Rannoch Moor.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops, most persistent and low north
Often capping tops of Lochaber above 800-1000m, variable, lowering during snow showers. Lower bases near the coast and towards Mull, above 700-900m. Often clear Loch Lomond NP, though some banks of cloud will drift south, shrouding the summits for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Lochaber-Mull, to 70% near Loch Lomond.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, most extensively sunny around Loch Lomond. Visibility very poor or appalling where snow falls or blows around and also if in cloud, but excellent further south in the sunshine.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C near coasts, -6C inland (to -9C highest tops. Wind chill feeling like -20C, nearer -25C on Ben Nevis summit in exposure.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 300, up to 400m Arran/Islay.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 30 to 40mph, squally gusts in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued severe wind chill over the mountains. Arduous walking with frequent buffeting on exposed terrain.
How Wet?
Snow showers, mostly coasts and north
Snow showers running southward over coastal areas into Lochaber/Creag Meagaidh, some reaching towards Glencoe and further south though often dry here. Snow falling and accumulating to sea level.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, often covering northern tops
Varying cloud bases near Mull above 700-900m, briefly lower in showers and towards the southern islands. Also often capping tops inland Lochaber above 800-1000m. Often clearer Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Lochaber-Mull, to 70% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, sunniest Loch Lomond. Visibility excellent away from showers, but very poor where snow falls or blows around and also if in cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C (to -8C above 1200m); a degree warmer southern islands. Wind chill feeling like -22C, to -25C Ben Nevis summit.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from glens upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 200-300m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 5th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 30-35mph, easing and shifting northwesterly with time, 20-25mph into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill, severe on high exposed tops where walking conditions will be strenuous with buffeting.
How Wet?
Snow showers coasts and Lochaber
Ongoing snow showers running southward into Lochaber towards Creag Meagaidh/Ben Nevis ranges. Some showers reaching Mull and Islay as well, likely dry Glencoe and south.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, often covering northern and coastal tops
Varying cloud bases Lochaber and coasts, 600-800m, locally lower in showers. Also often capping tops inland Lochaber above 800-1000m. Often clear Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% Lochaber/coasts, to 70% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, sunniest Loch Lomond. Visibility excellent away from showers, but very poor where snow falls or blows around and also if in cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C; -8C above 1200m and at dawn in the glens. Wind chill as cold as -25C early in the day on high tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 200-300m, may rise a bit more here after dark.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen into early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and increasingly into valleys in England and Wales. Heavy showers streaming into northern and coastal Scotland, some containing hail, most terrain covered in snow with substantial snowdrifts in the Northwest Highlands and Cairngorms. Largely dry and sunny in southern Scotland and England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops at times. More variable next week: some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, though most high terrain stays sub-zero, and as fronts come in from the west, upland snowfalls are possible more widely.