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.
Friday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Friday 27th December 2024
Last updated
Thu 26th Dec 24 at
2:50PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A weak front draped across the Highlands brings low cloud and rain to western areas, but the far north may remain clearer. Scottish hills rather windy and gusty in places. In England & Wales, low cloud covering most west coastal hills, clearer northeast of major hill groups; least wind toward south.
Headline for West Highlands
Dull and damp, rain most frequent coasts. Windy, gusty in places.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 30mph, at times gusty 35-40mph around tops in Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over higher terrain, affecting balance where exposed on ridges and summits; marked wind chill on tops.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent light rain
Rain and drizzle much of the day, amounts generally small, but locally persistent near and west of Loch Linnhe. Smaller amounts well inland and may fade out at times southernmost areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive low cloud
Blanket low cloud across the mountains, to lower slopes near the coast, widely from mid-slopes up inland. Highest bases from Creag Meagaidh to Loch Ossian, but rarely above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, poor visibility in rain. Local brighter breaks and better visibility northeast of Ben Nevis group, may improve also toward south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. Feeling like -7C where exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 28th December 2024
Last updated
Thu 26th Dec 24 at
2:50PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 25 to 40mph, speeds may vary, strongest in Lochaber; then likely to strengthen further into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting over higher terrain, arduous walking where exposed on tops in Lochaber. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain and summit snow
Rain from overnight may not clear until an hour or so after dawn Loch Lomond to Arran. Then scattered showers, snow falling on Munros, particularly Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over higher slopes
Early low cloud particularly southern hills tending to rise to upper slopes with breaks forming. Then varying, but often capping tops above 800-1000m. Some higher breaks more often well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun mainly inland. Visibility good when dry, but poor in showers, very poor if in snow on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C. Wind chill feeling like -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
1200m, may drop to 1000m locally in Lochaber.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 29th December 2024
Last updated
Thu 26th Dec 24 at
2:50PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25-35mph near Lochaber and Mull. 40-55mph southward, strongest in the far south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking becoming impeded, difficult south of Mull. Strongest gusts may blow you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain nearly constant
Rain most of the day, often heavy, likely constant in areas north of Mull across Lochaber. Higher tops around Ben Nevis to see snow. May be smaller amounts Loch Lomond NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Widespread low cloud
Lowest coastal slopes shrouded in cloud. Bases closer to 700m inland, through regularly lowering as spells of heavier rain come and go.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility mostly poor, very poor in snow on higher mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C in from Lochaber north, up to 4C south of Mull.
Freezing Level
1100m near Ben Nevis range. Localized patches down to 1000m. Above the summits south of Mull.
Planning Outlook
Heavy rain is likely to affect many western mountains from Sunday into early next week - the most sustained heavy rain focused on western Scotland, but may extend south into northern England with time. Risk of flooding developing. On the northern side of a slow-moving frontal zone, much colder air likely moves into northern Scotland resulting in snow over the mountains. West to southwesterly gales widely over the mountains up to New Year, risk of severe gales for periods. Colder air is expected to advance south across all of Britain by New Year's Day, leaving much upland terrain frozen and showers of snow and hail likely. Cold conditions are likely to be sustained into the first weekend of January.