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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jun 26 at
3:39PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A band of rain sweeps across the country bringing several hours of persistent rain and extensive fog: first in Wales, then England and much of Scotland by early afternoon. Breaking to frequent showers, risk isolated lightning. Very windy England and Wales, gales over Wales summits.
Headline for West Highlands
Rain and fog most of the day; blustery to the south
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15-20mph at dawn, strongest south and soon more widely at least 20mph, to 30-35mph Arran to Ben Lomond around noon, risk higher briefly. Direction and speed more variable afternoon, though always above 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Variable effects: may be fairly small in places early and later, most likely northern hill groups, but also periods of impeded or strenuous walking with wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain fairly persistent, at times heavy
Showery rain extends in from the southwest from dawn, becoming persistent over most mountains by midday, some heavier sustained falls especially in south, risk local thunder late in the day. Patchier rain north of Ben Nevis group, particularly late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest southwest
Covering many mountains all day, lowest persistent bases near coasts south from Mull, locally to 300-400m. Widely 600-800m inland, some higher breaks near Glen Spean mainly morning, perhaps higher bases coastal Lochaber late in the day too.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10%, to 20% inland Lochaber
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, dull. Visibility good below cloud inland Lochaber mainly morning, but hazy or misty coastal hills, widely poorer in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C at dawn, very slight rise afternoon, perhaps to 7C near and west of Glen Spean. Feeling near freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 4th June 2026
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jun 26 at
3:39PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15 to 25mph, less for a time inland in morning. Turning westerly 25-35mph, to 40mph south summits later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Moderate effects early in day, but more blustery south, becoming widely strenuous, buffeting gusts. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain on and off, risk lightning
Showery rain merging in places into more constant falls, some heavy bursts particularly areas more inland by afternoon and into the evening, risk of thunder. Further showery clusters may move in from west later.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, varied
Often covering the higher mountains all day, but varying in extent and height, some ragged patches from forest canopies up during and after rain, particularly west where bases often to middle slopes. Local breaks may form afternoon, also inland early.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare brief sun breaking through. Visibility often reduced by rain, sometimes poor; intermittently good below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, may reach 7C well-inland. Lowering into night. Feeling below freezing in wind, near -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, then well into the night dropping close to freezing to highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 5th June 2026
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jun 26 at
3:39PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30-35mph at dawn, shifting southwesterly and easing to 20-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ease of walking impacted on tops, perhaps strenuous early with considerable wind chill. Fairly small in places later.
How Wet?
Showery rain
Just at dawn, an area of rain from Ben Nevis group northward, some heavy falls possible; some sleet mixed in on tops. Soon breaking to patchy rain, some extended falls towards coast, particularly south of Mull.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting towards summits
Fairly extensive above 600-700m at dawn, lowest bases coastal hills south of Mull, to 500m or locally lower. Soon beginning to lift after sunrise, breaks forming too, mostly above 1100m into afternoon. Bases generally lower with fewer breaks coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best well-inland. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C to start, locally rising to 5C south and well inland; coolest Lochaber. Feeling like -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
May just touch the Ben Nevis summit at dawn, soon lifting above all summits.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled spell this week with low pressure over the north Atlantic and west-southwesterly winds dominating. Periods of rain mixed with showery days widely - the most constant rain over western mountains with low cloud often shrouding the hills; bases will typically lift somewhat afternoon. Wind speed will vary, but up to gale-force for periods over the hills this week. Temperatures near average, cooler at times. A brief brighter window Friday afternoon, then unsettled again over the weekend, though detail is currently uncertain. Next week is probably unsettled as well, at least in the north, but higher pressure south of the UK may bring drier and brighter periods to Wales and south Pennines. Scotland remains often blustery and wet, and perhaps chilly, risk briefly freezing on highest tops.