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.
Saturday'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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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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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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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
Saturday 14th November 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Nov 26 at
2:12PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy across higher areas, particularly so those near the north Irish Sea and Scottish Highlands (where widespread upland gales). Drizzly rain will affect some western mountains, but otherwise extensively dry. Much mountain terrain at least partly frozen, particularly morning.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales; Risk rain (snow higher areas), mainly coastal hills.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 40mph, although on higher tops in the Nevis range sometimes 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Higher up significant wind chill and challenging walking. Expect balance to be difficult.
How Wet?
Rain or higher up snow on and off
Areas of showery rain, lasting perhaps an hour, mostly Lochaber, particularly west of Loch Linnhe. Above 450 later 750m snow, However, overall often dry with very little if any precipitation near central belt.
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. Inland, progressively higher cloud base, and also on Arran, typically 450m near rain to otherwise 750m. Perhaps cloud base 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 rising to 1C. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500 to 750m (highest coastal summits) rising toward 1100m. Highest freezing level near the coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 15th November 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Nov 26 at
2:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Still considerable uncertainty: Northerly mostly in the range 30 to 40mph, but particularly near coast perhaps 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 rain will circulate within general low pressure, from west abruptly changing to snow, except in valleys.
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, abruptly -2 tp -4C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, particularly toward central belt. But abrupt change to400m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 16th November 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Nov 26 at
2:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly; dropping from 35-50mph at dawn to 15-30mph by dusk. Windiest Lochaber, lightest near Clyde sea lochs.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and considerable buffeting from lower slopes up in gusty winds. Walking difficult higher areas, particularly morning.
How Wet?
Snow/hail showers, mostly morning
Squally snow and hail showers, some heavy. Small risk lightning morning. Generally showers becoming fewer and less heavy through day, particularly Loch Lomond NP and Arran. Mostly rain below 300m.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive; cloud base changing quickly.
Fog rarely clearing above 750m, perhaps 900, later 1050m central highlands, Loch Lomond NP and Arran. Near showers, plumes of cloud near 300m, but mostly above 500m well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, mainly more eastern and southern hills. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, but at least briefly very good between showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m.
Planning Outlook
On Sunday, uncertainty in forecast detail remains within a complicated area of low pressure. Beyond, cold with higher terrain frequently or almost permanently frozen most or perhaps all next week. Wales, and perhaps N England, will see one or two incursions of much warmer air together with areas of persistent rain and snow. Some higher areas may have a considerable snow. Overall, low precipitation across Scotland, but marked exceptions: here too, where the frequently northerly wind rises over mountains (with the sea directly to the north), accumulations of snow may well be considerable.