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
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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 15th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving area of rain affects England and Wales, heavy falls over south-facing hills, flooding likely. Drier for much of Scotland, though some showers affect the west coast; beware flooding after previous rain. Back just below freezing over higher Munros, some icy surfaces on tops.
Headline for West Highlands
Blustery toward northwest, some showers, varied cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some variation of speeds, southwesterly 15 to 30mph, strongest in Lochaber and out to Mull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though gusty winds may be suddenly uncomfortable in exposure particularly around Ben Nevis group.
How Wet?
Showers onto coastal hills
Scattered showers onto coastal hills from Islay/Jura northward, some drifting inland and around Loch Linnhe, falling as snow above 900m. Showers increase in frequency and intensity with time afternoon in the west, risk hail. Wet underfoot after previous rain, fast-flowing streams, some flooding.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, some breaks north
Banks often covering high terrain; lowest bases near the coast, variable between 700-1000m, lowest banks on southern aspects. Patchier further inland across Lochaber, some breaks to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 60% north Lochaber
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun north, a veil of high cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Feeling as cold as -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m. Beware icy rock surfaces on higher tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph. Strengthening onward into night to gales.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on exposed higher terrain, considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery coasts, snow and hail
Showers most frequent toward coasts and on islands, falling as snow above 800-900m, also hail at times. Some moving inland, but fewer east of Ben Nevis. Near to Arran may also see fewer showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, some breaks inland
Often capping coastal tops, base varying in and out of showers, mostly 700 to 900m, brief lower patches. Inland often above 900m, with higher breaks in Lochaber. Some lower fog banks in south in morning.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility often very good out of cloud, but intermittently poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Slight frost inland glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50 to 60mph, often 70mph higher Ben Nevis group, powerful gusts in places downslope to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, walking difficult in exposure, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes.
How Wet?
Rain then showers
Rain and initially snow above 700-900m from before dawn, soon turning to rain to higher slopes, persistent for several hours, widely heavy. Later breaking up into showers, possible hail near coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the hills widely all day, from mid-to-lower slopes in morning, then some rise of base during daytime, but rare if any breaks to upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky. Skies may brighten and visibility improving if rain breaks up.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 3C, later starting to fall again. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Varying, 800-1000m around dawn, rising above highest summits for several hours, then later dropping to 1100-1200m.
Planning Outlook
Prolonged rain will leave flooding of streams and rivers in many mountain areas early in the new week, with the exception of northeastern Scotland. As a front clears Monday into Tuesday it will drop to freezing above 900m, beware of ice forming on higher Scottish mountains. Drier conditions for many on Tuesday, though showery near west coast of Scotland. By Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. A risk of more heavy rain particularly England and Wales later in the week. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, possibly chillier with time.