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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
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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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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 15th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Feb 26 at
12:12PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Overnight snow (considerable western Scotland north to Skye) will have cleared, leaving snow (rain lower slopes) showers in Scotland (driest toward east), whilst further south rain and snow on and off. Most mountain terrain will be frozen although thawing lower slopes.
Headline for West Highlands
Terrain largely frozen. Frequent snow. Wind near gale morning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest to westerly, mostly 30mph morning - 35mph higher tops Lochaber. Will ease toward 20 to 25 through daylight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and widely arduous walking on higher areas. Particularly difficult conditions near precipitation in morning.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Persistent snow before dawn. Then succession of sudden, sometimes heavy, hail and snow showers - in places precipitation rarely ceasing over an hour or two giving whiteout. Small risk lightning. Fewest showers will be on easternmost mountains in the afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistently covering the mountains
Occasionally breaking to near or in afternoon above 900m at least fleetingly, but overall extensive cloud above 500 or 600m, and sometimes forming on lower slopes near precipitation.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional bursts of sunshine, mainly lower slopes toward central highlands. Fleetingly excellent visibility, but abruptly appalling or near zero in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C. Will feel as close to minus 12C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
Nearly all terrain frozen, albeit freezing leve soon between 700 and 800m, or on coastal summits sometimes 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 16th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Feb 26 at
12:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly; there may well be a lull to below 20mph for a few hours before strengthening to 25 or 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill and walking impeded by the wind, perhaps arduous at times.
How Wet?
Snow showers; sometimes frequent
Snow and hail showers, sometimes one after another, giving whiteout. Periods of little or no precipitation toward central highlands, Loch Lomond NP, and increasingly Arran. Chance isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; highest cloud base toward central belt and central highlands
Cloud base varying, sometimes quickly, between 350m near precipitation and otherwise 600 to 800m. Toward the central highlands and Loch Lomond NP, cloud rarely below 600m and breaks toward 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine mainly central highlands and Loch Lomond NP. Very varied visibility; intermittently appalling or near zero in snow, but otherwise excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C. Will feel around minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m, dropping toward 550m. Some valleys frozen or partly frozen after a frost.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Feb 26 at
12:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly high confidence in dropping to less than 15mph in a lull, but for a few hours from dawn 25, possibly 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Becoming negligible
How Wet?
Snow showers or flurries dying out
Snow and hail showers near the coast will through morning become isolated or probably all clear.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming confined to higher areas and increasingly clearing
By afternoon patches above 750 to 900m, but increasingly mountains free of cloud. Earlier in day cloud may be extensive on higher slopes near the coast but patchy elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% by afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sunshine increasingly. Superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C
Freezing Level
300m but most terrain frozen: partial thawing lowest particularly sunlit slopes.
Planning Outlook
Persistently cold most mountain areas, particularly across Scotland next week. Further snow from time to time. England and particularly Wales will have intermittently higher freezing levels resulting in freeze-thaw cycles.