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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 21st February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions over the mountains, storm-force winds most of daylight. Wet all day most areas, heaviest rain on south-facing hill groups, risk of local flooding. Least rain toward far north of the Highlands. Cloud shrouding the hills widely. Well above freezing with an ongoing thaw.
Headline for West Highlands
Stormy upland winds. Extensive rain, often heavy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 60-80mph for most of daylight; gusts at times over 90mph on higher summits in Ben Nevis range. Top speeds lessen evening into night, but gales likely continue.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility very difficult on mountains; walking challenging even on mid to lower slopes in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy and persistent rain
Rain most of the day, often heavy, particularly southern parts of the region. Very wet underfoot, especially toward Loch Lomond & central Highlands, streams in spate, some flooding possible.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud from lowest slopes upward along coasts. Some higher bases Lochaber, mainly northeast of Ben Nevis though most terrain stays cloudy. Bases may rise a little from west in afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility often very poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 7C most of the day. Cooling in the afternoon towards 4C. Feeling as cold as -12C in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 22nd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-40mph, strongest in Ben Nevis area early in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous, balance and stability will be affected. Moderating during day. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Coastal showers, flurries on high tops
Occasional light showers along the coast, frequent from Mull northward. Some light sleet or flurries over highest tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Coast often cloudy, patchier inland
Cloud banks common with bases near 900m along the coast. Highest bases inland, best chance of clear hills around Ben Alder to Creag Meagaidh.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun inland, little near the coast. Good to excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C. Feeling like -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
1200m
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 23rd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 60 to 80mph, up to 100mph in gusts for periods on highest mountains in Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions: mobility challenging even at mid-elevations, frequently knocking you off your feet where exposed.
How Wet?
Heavy rain then frequent showers
Heavy rain setting in before dawn, lasting much of the morning, briefly wet snow on high tops. By middle of day, clusters of showers, merging into frequent rain, may set in again; back to snow on high tops into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest morning
Shrouding the mountains all day, lowest cloud bases in the morning, rising toward upper slopes by afternoon, but varied in and out of rain, highest of any breaks toward north/east of Rannoch Moor.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast morning, then some glimpses of sun forming, mainly well inland afternoon. Hazy, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C. Feeling like -15C or below due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing above 1000-1200m at first, but lifting above all tops. Into night starting to lower back to 1000m.
Planning Outlook
All terrain will have thawed by the weekend; very wet underfoot with several spells of heavy rainfall, highest totals on south & southwest-facing hills bringing local flooding. A relative improvement on Saturday for many places, but remaining windy, up to gale-force higher northern Scottish tops - rain still frequent around Skye. Deteriorating again into Sunday with further storm-force mountain winds. Chillier westerly winds prevail next week, a return to mostly sub-freezing conditions over Scottish Munros, whilst lower Scottish hills plus mountains in England & Wales will see some freeze and thaw. Showery conditions with hail and upland snow, mixed with occasionally more widespread precipitation.