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.
Tuesday's Forecast
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 25th March 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Mar 25 at
3:40PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fine weather for Scotland, sunshine best toward the south and east, chance of a brief shower northwest. Chilly breezes over higher terrain. A front clearing southwards over England & Wales brings a little rain and cloud covering the hills, but improving from the north.
Headline for West Highlands
Breezy on tops. Generally dry, broken cloud and sun.
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to northwesterly 20 to 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to affect balance where exposed on high summits and ridges. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Largely dry
Chance of a brief light shower on coastal hills near/north of Mull in the morning, a snow flurry on highest slopes. Otherwise, remnants of overnight rain clearing before dawn to leave a dry day.
Cloud on the hills?
Occasional patches, lifting from most tops
Patches of cloud come and go on higher slopes in the morning, mainly toward the coast above 800-900m. Lifting to be just rare patches above 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun; sunshine best toward central highlands. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
Near freezing above 1200m in the morning, lifting above highest summits. Patchy snow lying on highest terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 26th March 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Mar 25 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening 30 to 50mph, risk 60mph higher mountains later afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Deteriorating to make walking increasingly difficult on higher terrain, wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Risk rain later
Dry possibly until well into afternoon; spots of rain developing, then later in the day risk of more persistent rain moving in from the west, mainly Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches, filling in later
Banks of cloud on some slopes in the morning, higher tops may be above cloud for a time. Patchy cloud lifting onto higher tops, some clearer breaks inland. Later thickening from west to become extensive.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% dropping to 20% later Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, a little sun through high cloud occasionally. Visibility very good, reducing later in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C, nearer -15C as speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing some higher slopes above 900m at dawn; otherwise above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 27th March 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Mar 25 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 45mph, at times 60mph on higher summits, particularly Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, balance often affected on exposed tops and ridges, frequent buffeting. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain setting in, soonest west Lochaber
Rain becoming persistent near and west of Loch Linnhe, starting as snow flurries on the Munros, turning to sleet or rain toward tops; heavier with time. Less rain Loch Lomond to Arran, may turn wetter later.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive
Covering most mountains all day, may vary in the morning, some breaks possible, above 900m well inland. Likely lowering to increasingly shroud hills, to lower slopes coastal areas, 600-700m inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% dropping below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any weak patchy sun giving way to thickening cloud cover. Visibility initially good, mainly inland/south, becoming hazier; poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3C. Wind chill feeling like -10C, to -15C on higher tops.
Freezing Level
1000m early morning, rising to 1200m or above into afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds prevailing from midweek through to the weekend - often gale force over the mountains, particularly Scotland. Spells of rain, most persistent in western Scotland. Temperatures near or just above freezing on Scottish tops midweek, then widely chillier by Friday into the weekend - sub-zero on all hills above 800m, with showers of snow on hills and sometimes hail. An improving trend by Sunday into early next week high pressure starts to rebuild, bringing dry weather and lighter winds for most places.