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.
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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
Thursday 5th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 4th Mar 26 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving front from the west brings rain and low cloud to western Scotland, turning to snow on tops as colder air arrives; freezing level later below 800m. Patchy rain encroaching further into Cumbria with time. Some heavier thundery bursts possible in Wales. Strong southerlies ease and turn W-NW'ly.
Headline for West Highlands
Rain and wind; easing, but turning colder
How windy? (On the Munros)
Gusty south-southwesterly 35-45mph. A sudden easing with a westerly shift along the coast in the morning, 25-35mph, settling northwesterly through afternoon; strongest wind south.
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, but wind remains a nuisance on high terrain.
How Wet?
Often raining, turning to snow on high terrain; easing trend later
Rain soon widespread, perhaps just light drizzle in the south early. A heavier band will pass east, followed by just drizzle; rain turns to snow on the tops, the snowfall level lowering. A breaking trend from the west later.
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 (remaining 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)
3 or 4C from dawn, soon beginning to lower from west, -1 or -2C afternoon into evening. Feeling like -7 to -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just touching the summits at dawn, lowering as rain passes, 600-700m evening, frosts forming in sheltered lower terrain overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 6th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 4th Mar 26 at
4:13PM
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?
Little or none
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.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine, occasionally shrouded by low cloud near coasts. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -1C from dawn, lifting to 0C, rising further overnight. Later, feeling as cold as -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
700-800m, though frosts to lower slopes and glens at dawn. Lifting, 900m by evening, above summits overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 7th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 4th Mar 26 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15 to 25mph, but risk gusty 30mph in places around higher mountains, greater risk toward Mull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but locally gusty spots may be more uncomfortable.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little if any
Local patches around some south-facing slopes for a time, mostly lifting above 700-800m, may linger a for a time near Arran.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, but some lower slopes colder in the morning; small change with added height.
Freezing Level
Slight frost some glens and sheltered higher areas after dawn, but lifting above freezing to the tops.
Planning Outlook
Higher pressure extends back across the country to bring dry conditions on Saturday, feeling mild in sunshine by day after a chilly start. More cloud by Sunday as weak fronts encroach in from the west, some drizzly rain moving into western Scotland. Patchy rain likely in the west at least early in the new week, likely dropping back just below freezing on the Munros for a time with some snowfall on higher areas. Winds fairly light early week, then a risk of strengthening southwesterlies later in the week; changeable weather conditions with spells of rain coming in from the Atlantic. Remaining old snow cover on Scottish mountains stays largely consolidated with little change, only very patchy snow remains around highest tops in England and Wales.