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.
Monday'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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
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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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 29th April 2024
Last updated
Sun 28th Apr 24 at
2:45PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Deteriorating - early in the day on many more western areas - as strengthening winds, rain and low cloud associated with a front extends slowly eastwards. The rain will amount to little southern Pennines, and largely dry until later in the day northern Scotland (where precipitation initially snow on the Munros).
Headline for West Highlands
Increasingly windy; extensive rain.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South or perhaps southeasterly between 15 and 25mph - strengthening to 25 to 35mph during morning, initially near Clyde sea lochs. May well ease again toward 25mph later afternoon or evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Sometimes fairly small, but expect considerable buffeting and wind chill for periods where exposed on higher areas.
How Wet?
Sometimes heavy rain soon setting in most areas
Deteriorating as bursts of rain (temporarily snow higher tops) from dawn become widespread and the rain, sometimes heavy sets in across most areas. Least rainfall near and north of Glen Spean and Loch Treig.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog across nearly all mountains. Highest cloud base toward north.
Loch Lomond NP west to Mull, Jura and Arran: Fog persistently shrouding the mountains, often forming on lower slopes. Elsewhere: Some summits free of cloud at times morning, but increasingly areas above about 750m will become covered, and at times above 500m Rannoch Moor.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil, but 20% near and north of Glen Spean
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively sunless - perhaps rare glimpses near Glen Spean and Lochs Treig and Ossian. Visibility soon deteriorating to become extensively poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3 or 4C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1050m, gradually lifting above the summits from the south. Frost in many valleys at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 30th April 2024
Last updated
Sun 28th Apr 24 at
2:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30mph, although 35 to perhaps 40mph for periods near Clyde sea lochs, Jura and Mull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking widely arduous on higher areas, and wind chill considerable.
How Wet?
Frequent rain; least wet toward north
Intermittently dry, particularly near and north of Glen Spean Lochs Treig and Ossian. Elsewhere, rain on and off throughout the day - most persistent on hills near Clyde sea lochs.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas
Generally extensive above 750 to 900m (highest Lochaber), although patches below 500m - most extensive Arran to Mull.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly Lochaber, through layers of high level cloud. Good visibility although a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 rising to 6C or a little higher in Lochaber. Will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits,
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 1st May 2024
Last updated
Sun 28th Apr 24 at
2:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly between 10 and 20mph: generally strongest in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
A little rain here and there.
Rain and drizzle on and off before dawn will continue into the day in some areas, but through morning nearly all fizzle out. Scattered heavier showers afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
All or nearly all clearing
Extensive cloud across the hills from dawn: very varied cloud base, in places (most likely Arran and Loch Lomond NP) covering lowest slopes. Slowly the cloud will break up; by mid afternoon, nearly all summits cloud free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud layers gradually thinning and breaking to give a patchwork of sun; sunniest toward the coast. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising toward 10C
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Considerably warmer this week. Rain from time to time, although from Wednesday largely dry in Scotland and perhaps N England - although the risk of bursts of rain, perhaps thunder. Wales will be most prone to further rain. As yet, considerable uncertainty in the detail next weekend, although ensemble of forecast models suggest light wind, fairly warm with some sunshine. Most uncertain is the extent and locations of possible showery rain or thunderstorms.