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.
Friday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Friday 20th February 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Feb 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive gale-force southwesterlies. A rise of freezing level toward higher tops in Scotland, where early hill snow soon turns mostly to rain. Lifting above freezing to highest tops in England & Wales by dawn, a few hours of heavy rain. Clusters of heavy showers follow into all western areas with hail, a chance of thunder.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales. Rain much of day, showery bursts.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly very soon from dawn rising to 45-55mph; a westerly shift in afternoon. Powerful squally gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking soon widely challenging with significant wind chill on high terrain; maintaining stability a constant effort.
How Wet?
Hill snow becoming rain, then showery
Snow over hills inland from before dawn to around 600m, but increasingly rain to higher elevations into early morning, particularly toward coasts. Turning showery with time, but rain frequent or persistent, heavy bursts with hail, chance of isolated thunder. Becoming wet underfoot where snow melts on mid-slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud shrouds the mountains from middle slopes upward most of the day, often reaching the low slopes during rain. Some variability during cessations in rain, a chance of fleeting higher breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Likely cloudy, a few bright moments here and there inland. Visibility often poor, but excellent during breaks in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C at and before dawn, soon rising, reaching +2 or 3C. Feeling like -13 to -15C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Varied around 800m at first, locally lower inland, but soon generally rising, to 1100-1200m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 21st February 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Feb 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 50mph; gales from overnight briefly lessen early morning, then re-strengthen during the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect arduous walking conditions over exposed high terrain most of day, a brief relative lull early in morning.
How Wet?
Rain most of day, heavier afternoon
Rain affects most places throughout the day, but for a few hours may be on and off, starting as sleet on high tops, locally fading occasionally inland Lochaber. Likely to set in widely heavier afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanketing the mountains all day, from lower elevations upward toward the coasts and islands. Bases rarely above 600m inland, highest toward Loch Laggan.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Visibility generally poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C soon rising to 4C. Where exposed to stronger winds on tops, feeling like -10C.
Freezing Level
1200m from dawn in Lochaber, soon rising above the highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Feb 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, frequent squally gusts in showers, over 60mph on higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting making walking arduous in exposure. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, hail, snow high tops
Generally showery, but merging into near-constant precipitation, particularly west Lochaber, heavy bursts with hail, snow falling above 900-1000m. Risk of isolated thunder, mainly toward coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Covering the mountains much of the time above 800 to 1000m, but cloud bases will vary in and out of showers. Occasionally forming to 600m near coast. Some breaks higher up well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare brief glimpses of sun. Visibility occasionally very good, but often reduced by showers, at times poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, lowest inland Lochaber.
Planning Outlook
Southwesterly winds brings milder conditions into this weekend - lifting above freezing to tops in England and Wales with substantial thawing, and generally higher freezing levels in Scotland; periods of thawing to Munro summits will occur but also further snowfall and refreezing on higher terrain during the day-to-day variability of precipitation and freezing levels onward into early next week. Likely colder later next week, back below freezing on higher terrain for a run of days. Often windy with periods of upland gales. Some spells of heavy rain over all western hills and low cloud frequently covering the hills.