West Highlands
Western Highlands accessible from, and south of, Glenfinnan (Road to the Isles) and Glen Spean (includes Creag Meagaidh). This area include Ben Nevis and the mountains around Glencoe. In the east, includes Ben Alder south to Loch Lomond and Trossachs NP. Includes Arran and Mull.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 23rd September 2020
Last updated
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 at
4:20 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
In Scotland, many places dry, but a few showers moving around slowly, of snow on higher summits. Chilly, but winds light. A complex front drifts east across England & Wales - rain may well largely clear, but risk of showers following, may cluster together.
Headline for West Highlands
Chilly, but little wind. Isolated hail showers.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction varied, becoming mostly southerly near coast; rarely more than 10-15mph, sometimes little wind.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Scattered showers; hail, or snow on tops.
Many areas often dry all day, but expect a scattering of showers; snow flurries falling to around 800m, locally hail to lower slopes. Very wet underfoot following previous rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to higher tops
Patches of low cloud from dawn becoming confined above 800-1000m with breaks forming to higher slopes. Locally around showers, patches will form below 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun, the cloud occasionally filling in. Visibility mostly excellent, reduced only briefly by local showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C
Freezing Level
Around 1200m, but also slight frost some inland glens and corries at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 24th September 2020
Last updated
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 at
4:20 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Mostly east or northeasterly, 10-15mph, but possible reaching 25-30mph for a time Loch Lomond NP & Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely small, but locally may be blustery with distinct wind chill higher areas.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Much of the day may well remain dry with just well scattered showers of hail, or sometimes snow on the Munros. Risk that areas of rain may rotate across southern hills for a few hours, mainly Arran.
Cloud on the hills?
Most likely very little
Patches mostly confined to higher slopes. Many tops often free of cloud. If rain occurs locally, cloud lowering onto hills for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine and well broken cloud, may be obscured at times by high cloud. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 4C.
Freezing Level
1200m or just above.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 25th September 2020
Last updated
Tuesday 22nd September 2020 at
4:20 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly, 20 to often 30mph, risk 40-45mph for a time higher summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting on higher terrain, occasionally gusty around showers; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional showers, hail or snow tops
A few showers spreading from the north, with hail, or snow on the Munros. Most frequent around west coast, and occasionally across Lochaber. Very few toward the central Highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks to many tops
Most cloud above 800 to 1000m Lochaber and western mountains, briefly lower around showers, but clearing at times to higher tops. Inland and south from about Glencoe, many summits often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Frequent bursts of bright sunshine. The air quite clear, although slight haze coastal mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, highest Loch Lomond NP.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, lowest in Lochaber, particularly later in day.
Planning Outlook
Generally chilly into the weekend with higher mountains near or just below freezing point, and overnight frost in many valleys, notable early-season low temperatures Highland glens. A complex low pivots eastwards on Thursday - rain focused across England, Wales & southern Scotland. Strong northerly winds follow on Friday with scattered hail showers, snow on the Munros. Pressure builds by Saturday leading to largely dry conditions and very clear air. Early next week, westerly winds are expected to return, with rain at times, low cloud and varied temperatures.