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
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 cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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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 cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain and hill snow in eastern Scotland in the morning tends to ease off; largely dry toward west. E-SE'ly gales in north, lower wind speeds S & W Highlands, but increasing again later. In England & Wales, upland gales all day, rain and initially snow on tops extending north, becoming milder from the south.
Headline for West Highlands
Relative lull, gales later. Cloud lifts, clearer northwest.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly, up to dawn risk 40-50mph with stronger gusts Ben Nevis group, easing to 25-30mph or briefly less, but strengthening again from south, rapidly reaching 50-70mph up to dusk and into evening/night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Moderate conditions for a few hours in morning, but some uncomfortable gusty spots. Generally deteriorating through afternoon to become increasingly difficult, significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Early rain and upland snow fades, returns into evening.
Up to dawn or just beyond, snow falling above 800-900m, rain lower down, most frequent Loch Lomond NP into central highlands, patchy westward. Fading to be largely dry until after dark. Into evening, rain preceded by snow on high tops develops, heaviest south.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud, lifting for a time, clearer west and northwestward.
Covering hills in south above 600 to 800m from dawn. Higher cloud base northwestward, but often capping tops above 900-1000m in morning, breaks best toward west of Fort William. Base rising and breaking further middle of day into afternoon, but will fill in again from south from dusk.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% south/inland, rising to 80% toward and N/W of Loch Linnhe.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun mostly toward west of Lochaber, where visibility very good, sunnier for a few hours toward Mull. Hazier southern areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, highest toward islands, rising slightly into night all areas. Wind chill feeling like -10C, to -15C where exposed to stronger wind on higher areas.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, but likely just above freezing to some higher slopes near coast and on islands. Into evening/night, rising above freezing to all tops for several hours.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 22nd January 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 45 to 60mph, in places 70mph around Ben Nevis; powerful gusts downslope toward west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions, mobility challenging and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow / rain mostly inland and south
Snow most persistent over tops from Loch Lomond into central highlands, patchier west and northward, often dry west of Fort William. Near coast around Clyde to Arran, rain to some upper slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud, more broken W Lochaber
Likely to cover many hills around Loch Lomond NP, to some midslopes in south. Higher cloud base northwestward, some breaks to tops mainly west of Loch Linnhe.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly near and west of Loch Linnhe where visibility locally good, otherwise cloudy and rather hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C inland, later increasingly widely, but toward coast and islands up to +2C. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Variable near coast, just above freezing to some tops, but dropping to 900m inland, may lower further by evening.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 40 to 50mph; up to 65mph over Ben Nevis early; powerful gusts downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, mobility limited and gusts may knock you over not just on highest terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow mostly inland and south
Snow most persistent over hills from Loch Lomond into central highlands, patchier west and northward, often dry north of Mull. Near coast around Clyde to Arran, may fall as rain to some upper slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud, more broken W Lochaber
Likely to cover many hills around Loch Lomond NP and northward, to Creag Meagaidh; cloud to some midslopes in south/southern islands. Higher cloud base northwestward, some breaks to tops mainly coastal Lochaber
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mostly near and west of Loch Linnhe where visibility locally good, otherwise cloudy and rather hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -2C inland, dropping a degree afternoon. Nearer 0C along the coast. Wind chill feels as cold as -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Variable in west, 900-1000m near coast, but 700-800m inland and east, may drop towards 600m later.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale force easterlies over most mountains later this week, powerful gusts downslope toward west; severe chill factor. Colder air and lowering freezing level moves into Scotland Thursday-Friday, much mountain terrain then frozen into the weekend and early next week. Substantial snowfalls over eastern Scottish hills later this week, drier to the west. Dropping just below freezing on high tops in England and Wales - a mix of rain and high level snow; colder further south over the weekend. Circulating low pressure and cold air into next week, with further snowfalls likely. Lower wind speeds early in the new week, but then likely increasing E-SE'ly again.