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.
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing 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.
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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.
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.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing 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
Thursday 15th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Jan 26 at
4:46PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Blustery and chilly south-westerly winds bringing occasional snow and hail showers, most prevalent across the west Highlands. Rain falling below 500m. Drier for England and Wales, but risk of marked deterioration later for southern and eastern Wales as rain and summit snow edges in from the south.
Headline for West Highlands
Snow or hail showers and blustery south-westerly winds. Hill fog extensive.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to perhaps 35mph. May ease a little later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong enough to make walking arduous where exposed and balance at times difficult. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy hail and snow showers
Succession of hail and snow showers (mostly rain lower coastal slopes). Small risk thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Unlikely to clear the Munros
Higher areas almost always cloud covered. Cloud base typically 400 to 700m near the coast and 500 to 900m elsewhere. Highest cloud base bear and north of Glen Spean and lochs Treig and Ossian.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine. Very varied visibility: sometimes excellent, but appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, but feeling more like -10C in direct exposure to the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
750m, marginally higher close to the coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 16th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Jan 26 at
4:46PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable or south-easterly in direction. 10-15mph or less. Perhaps 20mph up the west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Mostly dry, bar coastal showers.
Mostly dry, but risk of precipitation in the form of showers for the west coast and Isles. Snow above 500-600m
Cloud on the hills?
Banks of low cloud, focused in the south.
Risk of stubborn patches of banks of low cloud, mostly across southern areas and central Highlands. Also ribbons of fog in some glens. Some hills often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, best of the sun coming through in the north. Visibility very good, away from any fog or showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
700-800m, frost into the glens at first light.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 17th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 14th Jan 26 at
4:46PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly 10 to 20mph, perhaps 25mph through some cols, passes and summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but wind chill still significant where exposed to the strongest breeze.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Local fine spots of drizzle or snow grains possible across southern and eastern hills. Otherwise dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying banks, fog patches some glens.
Variable amounts on hills. Banks or patches at varying heights mid to upper slopes; ribbons of fog some glens. Some hills often clear, mainly west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, but 60% west coast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun toward west coast and far north. Otherwise dull. Rather misty and murky southern areas into central Highlands. Good elsewhere.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to plus 1C, but feeling closer to -8C in the strongest breeze.
Freezing Level
Varied across the area, 600-1000m, highest towards west coast/north Lochaber. Also sub-zero with frost into glens at dawn.
Planning Outlook
A small scale low will pull away early on Friday morning to the North Sea to leave drier and chilly conditions into the weekend with a south to south-easterly airflow developing. Looking further ahead, a colder continental influence may be drawn in on south to east winds, but the extent of this is uncertain. The snow pack across the Scottish Highlands will be enhanced by further spells of snowfall where where fronts edge in from the west, whilst for England and Wales snow accumulating on the hills at times, perhaps in the form of showers from the east.