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
Friday 4th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Areas of snowfall will pivot in from the east to affect many areas of Scotland and Northern England through the day. Accompanied by upland gales giving severe wind chill for periods, but a substantial lull is likely S Pennines. Across Wales, snow showers later give way to persistent snow.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales, severe wind chill and periods of snow.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North or northeasterly, perhaps a lull around dawn, but likely strengthening for periods to 40-50mph high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for difficult conditions and severe wind chill on the mountains.
How Wet?
Periods of snow
Increasing risk of a zone of persistent snow spreading in from the east, perhaps soon. Threat sustained whiteout some tops. Will turn to rain/sleet lower slopes. Least toward coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowering in snow
Will depend on extent of snow - some western mountains may only see cloud on higher tops, but if snow becomes widespread, cloud lowering to shroud most higher terrain, locally to low levels.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Away from precipitation, visibility locally very good, but appalling conditions where in snow and cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, rising to -2C, in places 0C. Will feel closer to -20C or below in exposure to the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
Varied. Terrain frozen from most glens up in morning, and many areas staying near zero. Will lift in places above freezing above 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 5th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly, 20 to 30, perhaps 40mph for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Risk of sometimes arduous walking conditions, giving severe wind chill on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Snow flurries
Risk of occasional snow, mostly flurries. Many areas may escape frequently dry through the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher areas
Likely often covering higher slopes, mostly above 900m. In places only fragments around summits and corries and some breaks possible to high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun. Visibility at times very good, but reduced around precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
Around 700m, but also sub-zero some sheltered glens after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 6th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in detail: Northeasterly 15 to 25mph, 30mph west coast, but may be significant lull later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Beware of marked wind chill at times across higher slopes.
How Wet?
Snow on and off, mostly in north and east.
Areas of snow likely to come and go through the day, most frequently across central Highlands where may set in for a time. Perhaps just flurries west coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, some local breaks west coast.
Cloud will very likely cover the hills extensive through much of the day. The best of the breaks to higher tops will be towards the west coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some glimpses of sun; most likely towards west coast. Visibility sometimes poor or very poor due to snow. Perhaps often good west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
600-700m, but also sub-zero some sheltered glens after dawn.
Planning Outlook
Cold weather patterns are likely to prevail well into December. A period of constant freeze, at least on the Scottish Munros, but often near or below zero on many lower summits across Britain. Upland terrain becoming extensively snow covered as bands of precipitation circulate slowly around low pressure - substantial snowfalls likely across many uplands, and snow may well lie for periods to lower slopes. Wind speed and direction will vary considerably, occasionally gale force. An east or northeasterly common across northern Britain.