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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 4th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Mar 26 at
4:09PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy in Scotland with gale-force gusts over high terrain. Much upper Highlands terrain in cloud, some rain and drizzle (most in the west); best breaks north of major hill groups. Varied cloud early in England and Wales, mostly clearing with increasing sun, though visibility limited by haze. Cool to mild England and Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Windy, strong gusts; often raining, though mostly light
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 30 to 40mph, strongest near the coast from Mull northward but also very gusty around Ben Nevis range and downslope to north, risk up to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking and balance affected with significant wind chill. More challenging in places, particularly in exposure and northern aspects with buffeting downslope gusts.
How Wet?
Rain moves northward, mostly light
A little drizzle on south-facing hills toward the Clyde sea lochs in the morning, then a band of rain moving northward across the region, often light and patchy in nature. The rain may linger for longer periods around Mull and Loch Linnhe.
Cloud on the hills?
Soon extensive
Cloud soon spreads extensively across the region from at least 700-800m upward, higher bases to the north of major hill groups. Lowest bases to the south, particularly Islay to Loch Lomond, where persistently to middle slopes and as low as 400m at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun most common toward Glen Spean, otherwise risk largely cloudy. Poor visibility due to cloud, rain, and haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, gradually rising, to 3 or 4C by evening, staying mild on upper slopes overnight. Directly in the wind feeling like -10C.
Freezing Level
Patchy frost inland glens and sheltered higher areas from dawn, thawing largely above the summits, locally freezing highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 5th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Mar 26 at
4:09PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 35-45mph, gusty early, may be quite powerful. Easing with a generally NW'ly shift, 20-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking early in the day with significant wind chill; an easing trend, may be fairly small for a period.
How Wet?
Often raining, easing trend later
Rain soon widespread, perhaps just light drizzle in the south early. A heavier band will pass east, followed by just drizzle, a breaking trend from the west with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, may improve late in day
Cloud soon shrouds nearly all terrain from at least the middle slopes upward. Some variability as rain comes and goes, and may begin to break somewhat along the west coast late in the day (cloud banks below summits).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% rising to 40% west coast
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine unlikely until late in the day. Substantially poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C from dawn, lowering from the northwest, to -1C by evening. Feeling like -7 to -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just touching the summits at dawn, lowering as rain passes, 600-800m evening.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 6th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Mar 26 at
4:09PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 15mph, lower speeds south, perhaps a lull. Trending southwesterly 15-30mph, strongest west Loch Linnhe.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small during daylight, though blustery in exposure west of Loch Linnhe later and feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Thin layers near coasts, if any
Some ragged cloud at various elevations lingering from before dawn, including mist in sheltered glens and corries. Cloud lifts and dissipates after daybreak for clear hills. Occasional thin layers of cloud may form between 1000-1200m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%;
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine, occasionally shrouded by low cloud near coasts. Excellent visibility, a distant haze to the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -1C from dawn, lifting to 0C, rising further overnight. Later, feeling like -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
700-800m, though frosts in sheltered low slopes and glens too. Lifting, 900m by evening, further rising overnight.
Planning Outlook
Thursday into Friday sees a band of rain pass east across most mountains, then a relatively settled weekend for England and Wales, and perhaps east Scotland too. Varying conditions over the next couple of weeks as areas of high pressure build across the British Isles then slip eastwards: dry and bright days with light winds mixed with periods of strengthening south/westerly winds bringing occasional rain from the west. Temperatures will vary, at times lifting just above freezing to high Munro tops, but typically lowering again to high terrain and briefly mid-slopes. Freezing levels will only briefly touch high England and Wales summits, but some frosts into valleys during clear-sky nights. Remaining old snow cover on Scottish mountains stays largely consolidated with little change, any remaining snow in England and Wales will thaw.