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

Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.

Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Fri 8th Dec 23 at 4:30PM
View our detailed version Last Updated Fri 8th Dec 23 at 4:30PM

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Saturday 9th December 2023
Last updated Fri 8th Dec 23 at 4:30PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Patchy rain and snow on higher Scottish tops push north over the Highlands. Heavy rain sets in across south & central Scotland. Heavy rain moves across England and Wales in the morning, followed by showers. Varied winds, fairly light much of Scotland, but increasing upland gales for England, severe for Wales.

Headline for West Highlands

Areas of rain and snow on tops. Varied winds and cloud.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southeasterly or variable 15 to 25mph, local lulls.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small

How Wet?

Rain and snow tops, wettest south

Areas of rain and upland snow on the Munros from dawn, tending to clear northwards for a time. Further rain and snow on tops pushing in from the south, setting in heavy Arran to Loch Lomond NP.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive

Cloud extensive, or soon becoming extensive, across the hills. Down to lowest slopes in precipitation in south. Highest bases initially in Lochaber.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Overcast. Visibility poor, appalling in summit snow.

How Cold? (at 900m)

3C later lowering to 1C. Feeling like -5C if exposed to breeze.

Freezing Level

Around 1200m, lowering to 1000m in constant precipitation, especially Lochaber. Lying snow on higher terrain, icy in places.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Sunday 10th December 2023
Last updated Fri 8th Dec 23 at 4:30PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southeasterly, 15 to 30mph, speeds varied. Possibly becoming gusty 40mph coastal mountains in south.

Effect of the wind on you?

Often fairly small inland and in Lochaber, but risk more challenging conditions developing locally Arran to Kintyre.

How Wet?

Risk rain and upland snow moving in

Patchy rain and wet snow on tops clearing north in the morning. Drier for a time, then risk of rain pushing in from southwest, may become heavy Arran to Loch Lomond, increasingly falling as snow above 700m.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive higher areas

Shrouding most mountain tops throughout the day, lowest and most persistent in southern areas. Some breaks may form in Lochaber in middle of day. Filling in widely if precipitation sets in.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Mostly overcast, some brighter skies for a time in north. Visibility locally good if dry, but becoming poor if precipitation sets in.

How Cold? (at 900m)

1 or 2C, dipping below 0C later. Wind chill feeling like -5C, or -10C if wind increases.

Freezing Level

1000 to 1200m; most Munro tops at least part-frozen with varied snow cover. Dropping below 700-800m in heavy precip.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Monday 11th December 2023
Last updated Fri 8th Dec 23 at 4:30PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Direction variable, most likely 10 to 20mph or less.

Effect of the wind on you?

Mostly small.

How Wet?

A little snow or rain

Occasional showers, snow flurries above 800-900m inland, but rain to higher slopes near coasts. May amount to very little many areas, locally often dry.

Cloud on the hills?

Often covering many tops

Varied banks of cloud or fog from lower elevations upward. Some slopes may be between cloud banks. Locally the cloud may clear, but risk often capping high tops.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

30%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Fairly cloudy, glimpses of sun. Visibility mostly good out of cloud, but locally reduced around showers.

How Cold? (at 900m)

1 to 3C, highest on coastal tops. If exposed to breeze, feeling like -5C on tops.

Freezing Level

1000 to 1200m, lowest inland in the morning. Local frost pockets inland glens at dawn.

Planning Outlook

Areas of low pressure dominate into the weekend and early next week bringing unsettled conditions as a series of fronts circulate over Britain. Periods of heavy rain, with snow over higher mountains in Scotland as tops stay near or just below freezing point. Some freeze-thaw higher up, but mid-heights generally above freezing - very wet underfoot due to rain and snowmelt, beware flooding of streams and rivers. Most tops in England and Wales above freezing with terrain not frozen apart from local snow pockets. Generally windy, gales or severe gales at times over the tops - strongest speeds most sustained for England and Wales. Least windy in northern Scotland.