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.
Monday'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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Chilly
Air temperature below +5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Chilly
Air temperature below +5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 26th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread over the mountains, during afternoon in Wales strengthening to become increasingly severe on tops. Showery bursts, most frequent in the west, hail and isolated thunder. Merging into constant and heavier rain for England, Wales and southwest Scotland later.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales, heavy showers, hail, chance lightning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 35 to 45mph, at times 50mph on highest tops in Ben Nevis group; squally gusts in showers. Speeds moderating toward evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting across the hills, making balance difficult on exposed ridges; gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, heavy bursts, isolated lightning
Showery all day, heavy bursts at times with hail, chance isolated lightning. Falling as snow on highest summits, especially morning Ben Nevis range. Showers merging into more constant rain later in south.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering higher tops
Variable cloud bases through the day, but often covering tops above 800-1000m, sometimes patches to 600m especially morning near to coast. Some brief breaks higher up mainly further inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly well inland early in day. Visibility at times very good, but suddenly poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C high tops.
Freezing Level
1100-1200m early morning, lifting to 1300m or just above Ben Nevis summit by afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 27th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwest, 25-35mph in morning, easing 15-20mph or less from the south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting comfortable walking on some high tops in morning, likely becoming smaller.
How Wet?
A few showers; risk local rain later
Occasional showers mostly near to the coast in the morning, likely fading. Toward evening, possibility of rain developing, local heavy bursts, greatest risk Arran and near Clyde.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting toward high tops, some breaks
Variable cloud above 700 to 900m in the morning, lifting to 1000m or above with breaks forming higher up inland areas. Risk of lowering cloud mainly around Arran later if rain develops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun; high cloud may build later. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C in morning.
Freezing Level
1100-1200m early morning, rising above all summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 28th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25mph, at times 30mph on higher tops particularly Ben Nevis group.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect ease of walking and balance on exposed ridges, very blustery high tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers fading
Brief showers mostly coastal hills in the morning, a few pushing well inland, fading; falling as snow on higher Munros for a time, possible hail. Into night, risk of heavy rain moving in from the southwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting and breaking
Banks of cloud above 800-1000m in the morning, lowest and most persistent near coasts. Bases rising toward 1200m with breaks forming higher up afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, improving in coastal areas to become sunnier afternoon. Visibility mostly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 4 or 5C. Wind chill feeling like -5C, to -8C higher tops.
Freezing Level
Around 1200m in Ben Nevis group early morning, then rising just above these highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Changeable conditions this week with low pressure and frontal systems passing west to east. West to southwesterly winds prevailing, speeds varied, but gale force for periods on the mountains. Spells of rain and showers, some periods of sustained heavier rain. Cloud often shrouding higher terrain. Better toward the east and northeast of Scotland. Generally rather cool for Scotland, near freezing on highest summits early in week, then a little milder, or warmer further south over England & Wales. Some improvements in conditions especially in southern areas as pressure builds at times, but mixed westerlies are likely to prevail into the start of June.