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.
Wednesday'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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 19th August 2026
Last updated
Tue 18th Aug 26 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Slow-moving showers across Scotland, trending more frequent and heavy afternoon with thundery downpours; light wind but gusty around showers. Showers in England, most frequent and heavy early and into night in northern areas with thunder risk. Scattered showers and sun in Wales on a westerly wind.
Headline for West Highlands
Rising risk of heavy, thundery rain with gusts
How windy? (On the Munros)
Starting southwesterly 20mph far south, soon generally southerly but variable at10mph or less for several hours, sudden gusts in rain. Reorienting northeasterly from the north later, 20-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but prepare for notable wind chill if exposed to gusts; ease of walking starts becoming impacted in the north later in the day.
How Wet?
Heavy bursts increasingly, risk lightning
Showery rain mostly around coasts and islands early in the day, but increasingly forming widely, heavy bursts into the afternoon, moving around slowly to give rain locally for an hour or more. Risk of thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, becoming extensive around rain
Patchy cloud around some slopes in the morning, tending to lift toward upper terrain, at times confined above 900m with higher breaks. During and after rain, cloud lowering, ragged patches to lower slopes, and increasingly extensive as rain becomes more frequent.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% lowering to 30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief sun inland in the morning, clouding over; some sun glimpses later near coasts. Visibility very good when dry, but poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, only slight rise. Cooling a few degrees overnight. Feeling near to freezing if exposed to increasing wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 20th August 2026
Last updated
Tue 18th Aug 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 20 to 30mph, trending northerly and easing slightly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling distinctly chilly on exposed high terrain. Breezy over hills, in places may affect comfortable walking.
How Wet?
A few showers
A scattering of showers spreading from the north, briefly heavy locally, forming more widely inland during afternoon. South of Ben Nevis group often dry in the morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying on tops
Patches capping higher slopes above 900-1000m, some lower patches in rain. Breaks for periods toward tops, mainly south in the early hours, caps forming increasingly widely through aftenroon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% lowering to 30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, some sun breaking through, extended bright periods to the south early in the day. Visibility excellent, but reduced in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C, mildest south with only minimal rise; slightly cooler evening in Lochaber. Feeling like -3C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but by evening, dropping close to freezing on Ben Nevis summit above 1300m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 21st August 2026
Last updated
Tue 18th Aug 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 10-20mph, lightest speeds inland; slight northwesterly bend at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Light scattered showers
A few showers here and there, generally drifting from the north, but always light in nature and most hills see extensive dry windows. Showers at and before dawn may fall as sleet/snow on Ben Nevis summit.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting towards high terrain with breaks
Varied cloud mostly above 700m in the morning, locally more extensive north where showers occur, but lifting with time to just banks over high terrain, breaks off summits forming here and there
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, best on lower slopes. Very good visibility out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C to start, rising towards 7C south and inland; little or no rise to the north.
Freezing Level
Just above the Ben Nevis summit at dawn, lifting higher.
Planning Outlook
As the weekend approaches, wind will shift northerly, moving showers and afternoon thundery downpours further south with time. Generally lighter wind but gusts will be common around showers. Temperature lowering later this week too, dropping close to freezing on high Scottish tops on Friday morning (chance of sleet/snow here) and frost may occur in Highland glens over a couple of nights. More often dry with few lighter showers over the weekend as higher pressure builds into the southwest. Conditions remain on the drier, brighter side early next week, pressure dropping again as the week goes: periods of cloud and rain for most hill groups, and perhaps some stronger wind at times. Detail beyond the weekend is uncertain, and there may well be windows of better weather through the week too.