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.
Thursday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright and crisp with sunshine most of the day and the mountains generally free of cloud.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright and crisp with sunshine most of the day and the mountains generally free of cloud.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 12th November 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Nov 26 at
12:26PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Low freezing level in briefly very cold northerly wind: widely gale force Scottish Highlands. A little less windy south into N England and Wales. Hail and snow showers northern and coastal NW Highlands, a few flurries elsewhere, albeit much of upland Britain fine and sunny.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales slowly easing. Risk snow and hail showers or flurries.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 45mph post dawn easing slowly through daylight to 25 to 35mph, least wind in the ranges will be toward the west coast.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, frequent buffeting over some high tops inland. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
An odd snow shower north and coasts
Brief snow showers west of Loch Linnhe, Mull and Jura. Mostly rain only lowest slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly northern tops
Patchy cloud likely to drift over higher slopes in Ben Nevis group , mostly above 1000m or 650m west of Loch Linnhe at times. Further south, hills largely clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% north, to greater than 90% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, some patchy cloud north. Visibility excellent, slight haze coasts.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Feeling like -10 to -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m, a little higher Mull and Jura. Frost glens morning, all day out of sunlight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 13th November 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Nov 26 at
12:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, 20 to 25mph, but tending to rise, to around 30mph Lochaber in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect ease of walking on some high terrain, mainly Ben Nevis range in afternoon, with marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow showers; rain lower slopes
Scattered showers moving inland from coast, falling as snow initially to 500m or briefly lower inland, then mostly above 800m by afternoon. Chance of steadier rain developing near/west of Loch Linnhe, snow then only highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Tending to increasingly cover tops
Patchy cloud mostly coastal areas above 650-900m. Some patches drifting inland during the day but mostly above 900-1050m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Ranging from glimpses of sun in Lochaber, to occasional sunshine Loch Lomond NP. Visibility mostly excellent, locally reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Wind chill feeling around -10C in stronger speeds.
Freezing Level
Near the coast, 600-700m, rising marginally through day. particularly near coast. Some glens frosty all day out of sunlight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 14th November 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Nov 26 at
12:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly between 30 and 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasing buffeting and wind chill becoming considerable with increasing height. Expect balance sometimes to be difficult.
How Wet?
Rain or higher up snow on and off
Local detail uncertain as areas of showery rain, most frequent Lochaber - or above 450 later 750m snow, interspersed with dry areas drift across region. Very little precipitation near central belt and central highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Most mountains persistently foggy. Cloud base progressively higher inland.
Near the coast south to Jura, cloud base typically 400 to 600m, whilst well inland, Loch Lomond NP and Arran, 450 to 750m, and perhaps reaching 900m central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine now and again, mainly lower slopes well inland. Persistently hazy, or foggy, particularly western mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as cold as minus 12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500 to 700m, tending to rise to 800 to 1000m. Highest freezing level near the coast.
Planning Outlook
The present extensively dry and often relatively windless weather will end over the next few days as low pressure envelopes Britain. Showery conditions (snow on higher areas) will arrive on western mountains (mainly W & NW Scotland) on Saturday, before the threat of widespread rain - or snow higher areas of the Highlands - on Sunday. There may also be upland gales (although as yet considerable uncertainty for Sunday). Next week, frequent precipitation, low cloud and bouts of upland gales.