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
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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
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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.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Terrain widely frozen
All ground frozen from lower elevations upward, with hard frost or snow cover. Beware of icy surfaces on lower and higher terrain. Appropriate footwear needed, crampons may be necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 7th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale-force NW'ly winds England, Wales and S Scotland, slowly lessen from west. Areas of snow falling over N & E Scotland tends to ease and become patchy. A few showers or flurries elsewhere, but largely dry SW Highlands. Much terrain remains frozen, substantial snow depths much of Highlands.
Headline for West Highlands
Strong winds easing. Local flurries, brighter south.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North or northwesterly, locally becoming variable, before dawn 40mph with stronger gusts, easing through sunrise, to 15-25mph in morning, strongest speeds persist near coast, some lulls inland.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery start, considerable wind chill in exposure, lessening to become fairly small, but still feeling breezy over coastal hills.
How Wet?
Mostly dry south; local flurries north inland
Snow flurries mostly Lochaber, mainly Ben Nevis to Creag Meagaidh areas in the morning, tending to fade, but local light flurries may linger. Likely dry most west and southern areas all day. Into night, some light sleet/rain near coast, local flurries on hills inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy cloud breaking, best south
Varied cloud banks in the morning, mainly higher slopes, but some lower patches, particularly Lochaber, here may linger on tops. Tending to break up and may largely clear many southern areas around Loch Lomond NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% Lochaber, to 80% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, though bright with some sun through high cloud, best in south/west. Visibility very good, but beware locally challenging navigation if within cloud/fog over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, up to -1C near west coast. Feeling like -10C, or -15C in the stronger wind early in day.
Freezing Level
Near/below freezing glens upward inland; 500m coast & islands, highest on Arran to Islay.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 8th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction and speed likely to vary: mostly south or southwesterly, 10 to 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Patchy light snow
Occasional snow flurries, sleet or rain lower coastal slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied perhaps fairly extensive
Cloud banks around upper slopes and corries, in places persistent to mid-slopes. Some mist lower down inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some glimpses of sun. Visibility very good where dry, reducing in showers. Beware difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, up to -1C nearest coast / on islands.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen and snow covered, some glens stay sub-zero. Just above freezing to 600-700m coasts & islands.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 9th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable direction, mostly below 15-20mph, in places often little wind.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely small.
How Wet?
Coastal showers
Showers mostly around the islands, falling as snow on tops, possibly hail at times; mostly rain on low-mid slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches
Patchy cloud clinging to some upper slopes and corries, but expect clearer spells over many mountains. Larger cloud banks near coast if showers occur.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any sun weak due to a veil of high cloud. Visibility very good over many hills, some haze or mist inland glens.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen into the glens, some slopes around 300-500m inland just above freezing point, or up to 700m coasts.
Planning Outlook
Terrain remaining widely frozen into the weekend, extensive deep snow cover for Highlands, less nearer the central belt. An additional substantial snowfall for Wales & Peak District on Thursday night, accompanied by gales. A fairly benign end to the week for Scotland, showers near some west coasts. By late Saturday into Sunday, southerly winds strengthen to gales - as a frontal system approaches, snow then freezing rain is likely, before at least a temporary rise of freezing level - some thawing develops on lower terrain, most pronounced in Wales toward higher slopes. Chilly patterns next week with some further hill snow, many mountains often sub-zero, but overall less cold.