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.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 18th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Dec 25 at
4:35PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scotland: South to south-west gales bringing hill fog and showers, before band of heavy, perhaps squally, rain moves up from the southwest in afternoon, snow tops. England and Wales: Heavy rain spreading north with hill fog becoming extensive with strong to gale force southerly winds.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales, significant wind chill with showers. Heavy, squally rain afternoon, snow tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 40 to 60mph, risk 70mph for a time along a squally band of rain in afternoon, possibly lessening for a time mainly in southern areas later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ongoing arduous conditions over higher terrain, walking often difficult in exposure, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, then rain, some snow tops
Showers, easing for a time, before more constant band of heavy perhaps squally rain moves in from southwest in afternoon; possible hail, and falling as snow as low as 900-1000m. Showery onward into the night with hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some breaks north
Covering most hills all day, from mid-slopes up coasts and south. Some higher breaks inland Lochaber, lowering in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, to 50% north Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, visibility varying, good intermittently if dry, but reducing to poor if rain or hill snow becomes constant.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, then lowering to 0C into night. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, rising for a time, then dropping into night to around 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 19th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Dec 25 at
4:35PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph, may start to lessen a little later in south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting from modest elevations upward. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, hail, snow tops
Showers merging into near constant precipitation in the morning over western hills, with hail, also falling as snow above 800m; risk lightning. Tending to become fewer and less intense showers afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied but often capping high tops
Often shrouding higher terrain, cloud base constantly changing, bases 600 to 900m, brief lower patches coastal areas. Occasional breaks toward upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun mainly well inland. Visibility intermittently very good, but at times very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C, slight rise later. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, may then rise a little to 1200m onward into the night.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 20th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Dec 25 at
4:35PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-easterly 25 to 40mph, but western coastal hills and Arran 45 to 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous, or near west coast and Isles difficult, with a very turbulent airflow. Significant wind chill and buffeting.
How Wet?
Patchy rain or drizzle with snow tops.
Patches of rain or drizzle with snow falling above 1000-1100m. Precipitation may become persistent from west coast as front edges in, uncertainty how extensive.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Covering hills with the lowest bases west of Loch Linnhe and down across the Arrochar Alps and Loch Lomond, 400-700m. Above 800m N Lochaber.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun Visibility good, but poor in any rain or drizzle. General haze west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, small rate of change in temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Around 1200m
Planning Outlook
South-southwesterly winds widely remain gale force over the mountains later this week and through into Saturday, severe upland gales for periods. Showery on Friday, most frequent in western Scotland with hail, also snow over tops. Another belt of persistent rain likely arrives onto western hills into Saturday, snow only highest Scottish tops. A switch to east-southeasterly winds by Sunday into early next week, some residual rain and high-level snow, but a drier theme develops and favouring chillier conditions into the Christmas period.