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.
Sunday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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
Sunday 29th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 28th Mar 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely difficult conditions - extensive gales across the hills, often severe on higher terrain; a few hours of storm-force winds moving southward accompanied by a swathe of heavy rain, some snow on high tops. Colder air follows across Scotland, with frequent showery hail and snow, periods of whiteout on mountains.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales, severe tops; early rain/snow, then squally hail & snow.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly at first, soon westerly, 70-80mph dawn-early morning, stronger gusts at first on high tops. Then near 50mph all day, often 60mph higher summits; sudden squally gusts toward 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions at first, remaining difficult over the mountains all day, mobility often challenging, powerful gusts could knock you off your feet. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy rain, snow, then showery hail
A swathe of heavy rain from before dawn, snow on high tops, torrential bursts of rain moving through early morning. Then showery hail, and abruptly snow falling to mid-elevations, increasingly toward 500m afternoon. Chance of isolated thunder & lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, then varied over tops
Shrouding hills widely in rain above 600-800m, lower for a time near coast, then rising and more variable, breaks to 900-1000m, but patches lowering in showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun develop. Visibility changing quickly, very poor in rain, appalling at least temporarily in snow, intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
+1 or 2C for a time, dropping to -1 or -2C by afternoon, (-5C on Ben Nevis summit). Wind chill feeling like -15C, nearer -20C on highest terrain.
Freezing Level
Briefly rising just above freezing to upper slopes early morning, but soon lowering again, to 700-800m afternoon, 600m in Lochaber later in day.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 30th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 28th Mar 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to northwesterly, 40 to 50mph, nearer 60mph with stronger gusts possible higher Ben Nevis range in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, difficult walking in exposure especially morning, gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow showers mostly morning
Showery snow, possible soft hail at first, frequent for a time in Lochaber. Tending to ease to lighter and more scattered showers afternoon, by then mostly rain below 600-700m. Rain and drizzle into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering higher tops
Likely to cover higher terrain widely in morning, bases 600-900m, lowest near coast, tending to rise. Some higher breaks forming above 1000m inland with time. Will then lower from southwest evening-night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 60% well inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, most common south. Visibility good out of showers, but some haze in west, briefly poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to +1C afternoon, then higher after dark. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
700m from dawn, rising to 1000m afternoon, then lifting above the summits into night.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 31st March 2026
Last updated
Sat 28th Mar 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 25 to 35mph, very gusty in places around exposed high tops and ridges.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over high terrain, affecting comfortable walking and balance on some exposed ridges. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain
Drizzly much of the day, most persistent westwards, some steadier light rain at times. Combined with some snow melt, rock surfaces will be very slippery. Smaller amounts of occasional drizzle well inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest toward coast
Blanket low cloud across the mountains, from lower elevations upward near to coast and islands in the morning. Tending to rise a little during day, but likely to shroud hills all day above 600-800m, highest inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloudy and misty, some brighter moments may emerge mainly well inland, where visibility good if below cloud, but generally poor over the hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. Feeling like -5 to -8C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing only on higher Ben Nevis plateau, but generally above the tops.
Planning Outlook
Milder air across all areas by Tuesday, with drizzly rain and low cloud particularly in the west. A drop of temperature returns to Scotland at least during Wednesday, with a belt of rain expected to move slowly southwards, followed by showers turning to snow again on higher areas, possible hail. Uncertain southward extent of rain and colder air beyond midweek - lower confidence in forecast detail toward Easter - high pressure toward the east and south brings some drier weather, but Atlantic weather systems may continue to move near to the northwest of Britain bringing further spells of strong wind and rain, plus fluctuating temperatures in Scotland, whilst further south likely stays milder.