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.
Wednesday'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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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.
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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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
Wednesday 24th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 23rd Dec 25 at
3:44PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy cloud on middle and high slopes of central and east Scottish Highlands, clearer west and north; high summits clear too. Most cloud in England stays east of the Pennines, little west including Lakeland where isolated to summits. Gusty wind in Wales, risk gales south; early cloud in the east will break.
Headline for West Highlands
Some patchy mid-level cloud, clear summits; fairly light wind
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly, trending southeasterly 15-20mph. Always strongest from Mull southward and towards Loch Lomond and notable gusts on high terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though turbulent gusts around high terrain towards the south.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly eastern middle slopes, many hills clear
Cloud banks cling to the middle elevation slopes from Glencoe to the southern islands, bases variable and may lower near Loch Lomond. Patchier further west and north, many coastal slopes Mull and north clear, though risk more cloud around Knoydart.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90% (summits above cloud)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny on the summits above the cloud layer, also on lower slopes towards the west coast and north; very clear air here. More cloudy low slopes towards central highlands with a slight haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or 0C towards the central highlands, several degrees warmer west towards the coast, locally up to +2C. Temperature rises with height above around 1000m, reaching 4C on sunny summits.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined, around 700-800m Loch Lomond to Glencoe and Ben Nevis range, though high summits above freezing; many coastal slopes will remain above freezing.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 25th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 23rd Dec 25 at
3:44PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 15-25mph; some gustiness, strongest around Clyde sea lochs to Glencoe, risk up to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small for most, though turbulent gusts at all elevations, walking may be strenuous south with wind chill.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Patches on middle slopes
Patchy cloud forming on middle slopes, most frequently near Loch Lomond and Glencoe. Patchier near the west coast, well-scattered Lochaber with many clear mountains here. Higher terrain above cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% (tops above cloud layer)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best in Lochaber where may be fairly extensive. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to +1C, a degree warmer coastal Lochaber; summits warmer too. Feeling like -12C in strongest gusts.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: locally above 700m central highlands, frost in glens; milder west slopes and highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 26th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 23rd Dec 25 at
3:44PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 10 to 25mph, strongest in southern areas, gusty in places, tending to increase a little during daytime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in Lochaber, but feeling blustery and colder further south, some uncomfortable gusty spots.
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Many hills clear, patchy cloud south
Patchy fog mainly glens or lower slopes, the mountains generally clear. Mainly in eastern Loch Lomond NP, some cloud banks higher up, 600-900m, highest tops may be just above this cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sunshine and excellent visibility, particularly Lochaber and west coast; locally misty lower down.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, small variation with height inland, some corries and glens stay colder, whilst highest tops may be slightly warmer.
Freezing Level
Frost in many inland glens, terrain at least partly frozen higher up, but air temperature just above freezing on high tops.
Planning Outlook
Christmas Day will be dry: easterly winds are dominant, strongest in England and Wales and most cloud east of the high tops: may be fairly sheet-like sometimes, though variably more extensive or broken, best of sun breaks in western areas. Turning cooler too, the coldest air in England and Wales with freezing levels reaching as low as 300-600m in east Wales, though poorly defined. High pressure stays put to the north into the weekend, maintaining dry weather, easterly winds, and mixed cloud and sunshine, most of the cloud in eastern areas. Temperatures will be variable, becoming milder for a time in England and Wales, with poorly defined freezing levels.