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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 13th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Under high pressure most mountain areas fine with sunshine. However, progressively north across Scotland, increasing strong westerly wind will bring snow showers to mainly the NW Highlands and low cloud across western mountains. Much terrain frozen - but freezing level rising through day.
Headline for West Highlands
Snow showers; much terrain frozen. Wind strengthening toward gale.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, progressively strengthening from 20mph post dawn to 25-35mph before dusk, when the strongest winds will be in Lochaber and Creag Meaghaidh.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, before on exposed tops , particularly Lochaber, increasingly affecting ease of walking, with marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow showers; rain lower slopes
Arran and Loch Lomond NP: the odd brief snow shower, or rain on lower slopes. Elsewhere: Snow showers from time to time although the risk in Lochaber of the precipitation frequent for an hour or two. Apart from lower coastal slopes, snow at first, but by dusk rain below 500m well inland to 750m near the coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas: highest cloud base well inland
Low cloud extensive western mountains above 600m and above 750-900m toward central highlands and Clyde sea lochs. Near precipitation cloud base may lower toward 400m near the coast and 600m well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, mostly eastern areas and near Clyde sea lochs. Visibility often excellent, but overall increasingly hazy, and poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising gradually (initially near the coast) toward 1C. Will feel as cold as minus 8C where exposed.
Freezing Level
Near the coast, 600 rising to 1000m. Increasingly frozen lower terrain upwards eastwards where freezing level by afternoon around 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 14th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly between 30 and 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasing buffeting and wind chill becoming considerable with increasing height. Expect balance sometimes to be difficult.
How Wet?
Rain or higher up snow on and off
Local detail uncertain as areas of showery rain, most frequent Lochaber - or above 450 later 750m snow, interspersed with dry areas drift across region. Very little precipitation near central belt and central highlands.
Cloud on the hills?
Most mountains persistently foggy. Cloud base progressively higher inland.
Near the coast south to Jura, cloud base typically 400 to 600m, whilst well inland, Loch Lomond NP and Arran, 450 to 750m, and perhaps reaching 900m central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine now and again, mainly lower slopes well inland. Persistently hazy, or foggy, particularly western mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as cold as minus 12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500 to 700m, tending to rise to 800 to 1100m. Highest freezing level near the coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 15th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Very low confidence near centres of low pressure: Varied direction, possible marked lull but anticipate up to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Sometimes small, but zones where wind chill severe and walking difficult - these challenging conditions could set in abruptly.
How Wet?
Periods of rain and snow
Areas of precipitation will circulate within general low pressure, perhaps abruptly changing from rain to as low as 500m snow.
Cloud on the hills?
Fog very likely across the mountains all day
Fog in some areas from lower slopes up, and few breaks above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Regions of very poor appalling visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, may abruptly drop to -2C
Freezing Level
Above the summits, particularly toward central belt. But threat abrupt change to freezing level of 550m.
Planning Outlook
Pressure will fall over the weekend: a little rain for some western mountains on Saturday, but more widespread rain (snow higher areas Scottish Highlands) on Sunday - albeit the detail for Sunday is unusually uncertain (for a 3 day forecast). Cold often dry conditions will return on Monday, but beyond extensive rain (sometimes snow higher areas) and strong winds probable, although presently Scotland, particularly the Highlands may have only snow showers in the cold air.