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.
Tuesday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Last updated
Mon 20th Jan 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Below freezing on Scottish tops. Noticeably chilly in the breeze. A cluster of showers with hill snow moves across the Highlands early in the day, but clears to be often dry and bright. Showers continue near to western coasts, some moving inland. A slow-moving front over England & north Wales brings grey and damp conditions.
Headline for West Highlands
Chilly, breezy. Showers and lowest cloud toward coast.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20 to 25mph, at times 30mph on higher mountains, particularly areas further west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking on exposed higher terrain, some buffeting on higher ridges impacting balance. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers mostly coastal hills
Showery rain and upland snow from dawn soon clears eastwards, then frequently dry well inland. Showers continue toward the coast, some pushing inland, mainly in south, with sleet or snow above 700-800m.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering higher areas
Banks of cloud across most higher slopes early in the day, becoming mostly confined above 900m inland with breaks to upper slopes at times. Nearer to coasts, more often capping higher slopes to around 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% coasts, 30% inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, glimpses of sun. Visibility often good away from the coast, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C. Wind chill feeling like -10C.
Freezing Level
800 to 900m, slightly higher near coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
Last updated
Mon 20th Jan 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly or variable direction, 10mph and under. Occasionally 15mph on higher terrain and near coasts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Little to none
How Wet?
A little rain or snow on coastal hills
Occasional snow showers along coastal hills, rain below 600m. Most inland areas dry, though some light snow may fall on higher inland terrain.
Cloud on the hills?
Often shrouded near coast, variable inland
Coastal mountains and high tops inland often capped. Variable coverage inland with moments of clear hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun possible inland. Good visibility inland, often poor along coast and in show showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, some pockets of slightly cooler air inland.
Freezing Level
800m, some inland areas down towards 700m
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 23rd January 2025
Last updated
Mon 20th Jan 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly turning west-southwesterly; speeds likely increasing 25 to 40mph, risk 50mph for a time, suddenly squally.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking becoming impeded with increasing buffeting on higher terrain, risk difficult where exposed. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow/rain develops, setting in
Initially just a few showers, snow flurries above 600m, pushing inland in morning. Increasing risk with time of abruptly heavy rain and upland snow, soonest areas from Mull to Arrochar, but moving widely inland from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy low cloud, becoming extensive
Varied cloud banks in the morning, may cover southeast-facing slopes, most extensive Loch Lomond NP. Some breaks north Lochaber. Widely lowering over the hills in rain/snow.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Local weak sun mainly Lochaber at first, giving way to largely overcast skies. Visibility good away from early cloud banks, but becoming poor in rain, appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
Locally varied 600 to 800m, tending to lower during the day.
Planning Outlook
Deteriorating later this week - a series of storm systems coming in from the Atlantic through late January bringing frequently severe conditions to the mountains. Thursday sees winds reach gale force on many tops with a spell of heavy rain and upland snow developing from the west. By Friday, severe conditions from lower elevations upward, hurricane-force winds over the mountains, plus extensive rain and hill snow. Gales continue into Saturday, severe for the Highlands. Snow is likely to accumulate over Scottish mountains during the next week or so with only brief thawing. More variable temperatures for England and Wales with cycles of freeze and thaw. Atlantic patterns likely prevail into early February.