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.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 26th March 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Mar 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southwesterly winds strengthening, reaching gale-force across Scottish mountains increasingly into afternoon. Dry for most places all day, but rain moves into northwest Highlands later in daytime. Varied cloud banks mostly over western hills. Sunniest in eastern areas.
Headline for West Highlands
Wind increasing, gales later. Rain into evening.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening from 20mph at dawn, to 40-50mph later afternoon into evening, soonest in Lochaber, risk 60mph on highest tops up to dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small early in day, increasingly blustery into afternoon, later in day walking arduous on higher terrain, wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Rain by evening in Lochaber
Dry much of daylight, then from late afternoon spots of rain developing west of Loch Linnhe. By evening more persistent rain moving in from the west across Lochaber, more widely into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches, lowering later in day
Banks of cloud on some slopes in the morning, higher tops may be above cloud for a time. Patchy cloud lifting onto higher tops, some clearer breaks inland. Later afternoon thickening from west, filling in above 600-800m evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% dropping to 20% later Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, a little sun through high cloud occasionally. Visibility very good, reducing later in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C later as speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing some higher slopes above 900m at dawn; otherwise above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 27th March 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Mar 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 45mph, at times 60mph on higher summits, particularly Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, balance often affected on exposed tops and ridges, frequent buffeting. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain setting in, snow tops at first
Rain becoming persistent near and west of Loch Linnhe, starting as snow on the Munros, turning to sleet or rain toward tops; heavier with time. Less rain Loch Lomond to Arran, but turning wetter later.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive
Covering most mountains all day, may vary in the morning, some breaks possible, above 900m well inland. Likely lowering to increasingly shroud hills, to lower slopes coastal areas, 600-700m inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% dropping below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any weak patchy sun soon giving way to thickening cloud cover. Visibility initially good, mainly inland/south, becoming hazier; poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3C. Wind chill feeling like -10C, to -15C on higher tops.
Freezing Level
1000m early morning, rising to 1200m or above into afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 28th March 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Mar 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 35 to 45mph, sudden squally gusts during showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill. Frequent buffeting over the hills, walking at times arduous where exposed.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow, risk lightning
Showery precipitation throughout the day, spreading increasingly well inland from the west coast. Hail to lower slopes, at times snow above 700m. Heavy bursts with risk of thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, often covering tops
Cloud base changing rapidly, but often capping higher slopes above 800m, brief shafts of cloud to 600m. Fleeting breaks toward higher summits, best well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun. The air quite clear, but visibility intermittently very poor in heavy showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
800 to 900m, rising slightly higher afternoon, but briefly lowering again in showers.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure passing close to northern Scotland later this week brings unsettled conditions. Chilly west to northwesterly winds - often gale force on higher terrain. Temperatures fluctuating just above and below freezing over the mountains, coldest on Friday when sub-zero on all hills above 800m - heavy showers with hail, and snow on tops. Rain and some snow on highest tops on Saturday, then an improving trend from Sunday into early next week high pressure rebuilds, bringing dry weather and lighter winds. Easterly winds may develop over England & Wales.