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.
Sunday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy showers, snow and hail
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail on higher terrain, rain or hail lower down. Risk of a rumble of thunder and isolated lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy showers, snow and hail
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail on higher terrain, rain or hail lower down. Risk of a rumble of thunder and isolated lightning.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 22nd December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Very severe conditions due to widespread storm force northwesterly winds across the mountains. Frequent snow showers will come in off the sea, extending well inland and in some areas merging to give almost constant snow and whiteout for a few hours.
Headline for West Highlands
Storm force upland wind. Frequent snow; whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 55 to 75mph; particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking on lower slopes, whilst higher up severe wind chill and any mobility challenging, particularly near precipitation.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow toward coast
Near, west of Loch Linnhe, Loch Etive south to Clyde sea lochs: Showers, sometimes heavy and one after another; mostly rain valleys. Risk of almost constant precipitation for a couple of hours Lochaber and Mull giving whiteout. This less likely progressively southward; near central belt only flurries.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive across many mountains; cloud base varying
Near, west of Loch Linnhe, Loch Etive south to Clyde sea lochs: Near precipitation cloud sometimes below 400m particularly near the coast, but breaks to 750m, perhaps fleeting breaks to higher tops. Elsewhere: will vary, sometimes breaking to 900-1100m, but intermittently below 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10% near coast to 30% well inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, but intermittent sunshine well inland. Very varied visibility, sometimes excellent, but appalling or near zero in snow/blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C , slight rise through day. Will feel as cold as minus 20C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m; will rise marginally through daylight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 23rd December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southwesterly; a lull to around 20mph after dawn, before strengthening toward 40mph afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small; but anticipate a change in afternoon to considerable wind chill and more strenuous walking.
How Wet?
Rain spreading inland
The odd snow shower morning. From about midday: Rain, or temporarily snow or refrozen rain above 600m, spreading inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Deteriorating as cloud later envelops lower slopes
Patches of cloud near the coast above 750m whilst well inland cloud may well lift off summits below 900 to 1100m. But anticipate deterioration in precipitation as cloud fills in across the hills, forming on lower slopes near the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% dropping afternoon from west to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility very good or excellent, particularly well inland but poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 to 2C afternoon. Will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m, through afternoon transitioning to above the summits, initially near the coast,.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 24th December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45mph; perhaps a little less strong southward toward Loch Lomond and particularly Clyde sea lochs.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions where exposed on higher areas; significant wind chill and walking strenuous; balance/foot placement not easy.
How Wet?
Raining most of the day
Raining almost constantly, although on more eastern mountains from Creag Meagaidh south near and north of Glen Spean, and near lochs Ossian and Treig, the rain on and off and total rainfall small.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of cloud across even most lower slopes.
Cloud base widely below 200m west of Loch Linnhe, near and west of Loch/Glen Etive, to S & W Loch Lomond NP and Arran. Elsewhere, the cloud a little higher, but rarely above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Widely poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Will feel as cold as minus 8C where exposed to the wind
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A change in the weather pattern from Tuesday as high pressure progressively envelops Wales and England. Here (and also in S Scotland), extensively dry and the and progressively dropping, initially across Wales. Mild - although frost in valleys some nights. Still windy Scottish Highlands, here very mild with lying snow substantially melting. Rain frequent NW Highlands, and less so W Highlands. Further east little or no rain.