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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that paths over the mountains may be obscured by lying snow.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that paths over the mountains may be obscured by lying snow.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Feb 26 at
3:52PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Early snow showers in northern Scotland and north Wales, these easing to dry and sunny conditions across the country. Lying snow remains on most slopes above 700-800m, locally lower. A blustery morning, particularly eastern areas where powerful gusts will reach gale force, but easing to fairly small effects widely.
Headline for West Highlands
Cold winter sunshine over lying snow, blustery early
How windy? (On the Munros)
A gusty northerly 25 to 35mph in the morning, strongest from Ben Nevis range south towards Arran and Argyll, soon beginning to drop to 15mph or less afternoon with variable direction.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for considerable wind chill in the morning, blustery conditions for a few hours at least, but improving.
How Wet?
Likely dry during daylight
Risk of a few odd snow showers near northern coasts and perhaps Creag Meagaidh at and before dawn, soon fading to dry conditions.
Cloud on the hills?
Few patches northern areas
Cloud banks mostly on higher slopes near coastal Lochaber and Creag Meagaidh, largely above 800m. Cloud will tend to dissipate to just odd ragged patches, and likely entirely clear later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sunshine increasingly, but some thin high cloud approaching from the southwest later in the day. Superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C, may rise a degree, most likely northern coastal slopes. Early in day, feeling like -15C directly in the wind, or colder on high tops, easing.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, including inland glens; slight rise toward coast, approaching 400m on sunlit slopes, then re-freezing after sunset.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 18th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Feb 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 25-35mph, strengthening, 45mph south coast later with powerful gusts, risk 55mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking/considerable buffeting, deteriorating south to challenging conditions and severe wind chill.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little or none
A few cloud caps may graze highest tops from the southern islands to Mull, but Munros substantially clear of cloud all day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though weak through high cloud in southern areas. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, locally -3C Mull and coastal Lochaber. Feeling as cold as -20C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen from dawn, low sun-exposed slopes thawing, up to 400-500m coastal Lochaber.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 19th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Feb 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally southerly, some variability, 35-45mph; strong gusts, approaching 55mph or higher Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous with severe wind chill; buffeting in exposure making it challenging to stay on your feet.
How Wet?
Some patchy coastal precipitation
Patchy snow affecting west coastal slopes in the afternoon, rain below 500m; a marginal risk of spreading more widely into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Fleeting caps on coastal summits
The hills largely free of cloud well into the day except for some caps on high tops from Arran to Mull. Later in the day, cloud moves in from the west to graze high terrain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often sunny but weakened by high cloud, which may thicken with time. Very good visibility, some haze near the coastal south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3 or -2C, locally variable and only little change with added height.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen from dawn, lifting though spatially variable, 400-600m.
Planning Outlook
Much terrain frozen midweek, frost into valleys and glens. Strengthening wind on Wednesday with considerable gustiness, gales likely in Wales; possible snow moving into Wales as well, which may move further north but detail is uncertain. Late in the week and through next weekend, a switch to southwesterly winds is expected, bringing a change to milder conditions - lifting above freezing to tops in England and Wales, and generally higher freezing levels in Scotland; periods of thawing likely to Munro summits, though some further snowfall at times on higher Munros during periods of cooler northwesterly wind. Rain most frequent over western hills. Generally windy with upland gales.