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.
Today's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required
Snow cover over the mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required
Snow cover over the mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 5th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly westerly winds, strongest in northern Scotland, gale-force on higher mountains. Showers of snow and hail mostly over western Scotland in the morning will tend to fade with time. Patchy cloud across many western tops, some breaks forming.
Headline for West Highlands
Windy, up to gale-force high tops. Snow & hail showers fading.
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 25mph up to 40mph some higher slopes, mainly Ben Nevis range; sudden gusts in places, lessening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Balance affected on exposed ridges, buffeting gusts around some major summits. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow and hail mostly morning
Showers of snow and hail frequent over coastal mountains in the morning. Intensity of showers easing, but snow flurries may continue toward coastal mountains, turning drizzly with time to mid-elevations.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, breaks forming
Varying cloud bases will come and go over higher slopes in the morning, most frequently capping coastal areas above 800m. Inland often above 900m. Breaks more frequent with time, to some higher slopes into afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun. Slight haze, but visibility becoming increasingly good as showers fade.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
600-700m, plus frost in some glens from dawn, rising slowly just above freezing point to around 900m. Some icy surfaces, plus fresh covering of snow.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 6th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 25-30mph, to gusty 40mph on mountains west of Loch Linnhe; locally gusty elsewhere downslope to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking and balance in places, sudden buffeting not just on highest terrain; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Chance of fine drizzle some coastal slopes if within cloud banks.
Cloud on the hills?
Some patches southern mountains
Patches drifting onto some south-facing slopes, mostly at mid-elevations, plus some fog in sheltered glens inland in the morning. May drift higher up at times, but dispersing. Northward into Lochaber, mountains generally clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally sunny out of the local patchy cloud; some thin high cloud. Visibility very good, but a haze some lower slopes, particularly toward coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, but locally some slopes may rise near 5C inland Lochaber. Wind chill feeling like -7C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen or part-frozen, including frost sheltered glens early morning. Gradual thawing at many elevations in the sun.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 7th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 20mph, or locally often less inland, but in places gusty 30mph mainly around coastal mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but occasional gusty areas may affect comfortable walking, also giving marked wind chill.
How Wet?
No precipitation
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clear, possible patches south
Possibly very little if any cloud much of the region. Local patches may drift onto some mid to upper slopes toward south of about Crianlarich, but higher summits may be above these.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine most of region, a little patchy cloud Loch Lomond NP. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, small change with height, locally slightly higher western Lochaber. Wind chill in places feeling near -10C.
Freezing Level
Varied, much terrain part-frozen above 600m, but above freezing higher up near & W of Loch Linnhe. Also frost inland glens.
Planning Outlook
High pressure builds and becomes centred around Scandinavia in the extended outlook into next week. A chilly east to southeasterly pattern is likely to prevail into mid-February. Some lulls, but periods of gusty winds will give significant wind chill. Often extensively dry, but occasional snow flurries mainly over England & Wales, occasionally also eastern Scotland. Variable amounts of cloud, although the west and especially northwest Highlands often clear and sunny. Some mountains above freezing later this week, but from the weekend, generally sub-zero across all mountains - a sustained period of freeze from many lower slopes upward. Frost common into the valleys.