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.
Today'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.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool
Feeling chilly on the hills, especially if exposed to any wind. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required
Extensive frozen mountain terrain with snow cover. Safe progress will require 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.
Moderate rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Very murky conditions, the mountains shrouded in fog, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool
Feeling chilly on the hills, especially if exposed to any wind. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required
Extensive frozen mountain terrain with snow cover. Safe progress will require crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 18th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
7:15AM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale force westerly winds across Scottish mountains, strengthening with time for northern England. Rain and low cloud most persistent in western Scotland, spreading southeastwards during the day. Lifting above freezing to all tops. Dropping colder from north into night.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales. Rain and drizzle much of day.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, soon strengthening during morning 30 to 50mph, up to 60mph highest tops in Ben Nevis range middle of day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Deteriorating quickly to make walking arduous or increasingly difficult on higher terrain. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain setting in, showery by evening
Drizzly rain and snow flurries on higher tops at first. Becoming persistent steady rain, heavier near/west of Loch Linnhe for a few hours during middle of day. From dusk, showers with snow high tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Banks of cloud over some slopes from dawn, filling in and lowering extensively, shrouding hills to lower slopes near coast and islands. Highest bases well inland. Bases starting to lift and break into evening from north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally overcast, dull and murky in west. Visibility widely poor across the mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, highest in middle of day. Wind chill feeling like -10C, to -15C on higher tops in stronger winds.
Freezing Level
1000m early morning, lifting above freezing to highest tops until dusk, but then dropping back toward 900m into night.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 19th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
7:15AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 25 to 40mph, strongest early morning over high tops and especially near coast; tending to ease during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill and blustery, buffeting where exposed early in day; lessening gradually.
How Wet?
Local showers for a time
Isolated snow or hail showers, grazing the coast and islands in morning, one or two over Lochaber. Tending to fade out.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clearing
Patchy cloud on some higher slopes in the morning, mostly near to coasts, perhaps Ben Nevis range for a time, but lifting toward or above most summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to +2C, highest near coasts in south. Wind chill feeling like -10C or below in strongest wind in morning.
Freezing Level
800 to 1000m in morning, rising to 1000 to 1200m in afternoon; lowest Ben Nevis range to Creag Meagaidh.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 20th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
7:15AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwest turning westerly, 15 to 20mph, at times 25mph around higher summits in Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, locally feeling blustery at times around some tops.
How Wet?
Patchy drizzle
Occasional drizzly rain spilling in from the west, mostly Lochaber. Small amounts overall.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest west Lochaber
Some hills starting clear, but low cloud extending inland from west to increasingly cover most hills, likely to fill in to mid-slopes near/west of Loch Linnhe. Near Loch Lomond & Arran may stay clearer.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early glimpses of sun giving way to cloudy skies. Visibility locally good below cloud, but likely dull in Lochaber, murkier toward Mull.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 5C. Feeling like -5C if exposed to breeze early in day, and still sub-zero in afternoon.
Freezing Level
Slight frost inland glens plus some sheltered higher areas at first. Otherwise above freezing to highest tops.
Planning Outlook
Near freezing over high tops on Friday with a scattering of brief hail showers on brisk northwesterly winds. Milder into the weekend. High pressure builds into the weekend bringing mostly dry conditions and lighter winds. However, fairly cloudy over the Highlands, shrouding many western mountains, with patchy drizzle mainly in the northwest on Saturday. High pressure then centred toward the northwest into next week, cool northeasterly breezes developing. Near or below freezing on tops with overnight frost into valleys and glens. Sunny spells and scattered showers with hail and snow.