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.
Friday'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+
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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+
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 2nd October 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Oct 26 at
3:22PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Continuing mild, but gales - or in the north severe gales on many mountains - will make it feel cold due to wind chill. A weakening front will bring a little rain eastwards before a further front brings heavier rain in from the southwest later in the day.
Headline for West Highlands
Deteriorating: upland gales becoming severe; rain and low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, strongest winds near & W Loch Linnhe, in morning ranging from 30-40mph across region. In afternoon progressively strengthening to 40-55mph, but 60mph higher summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly difficult conditions. Into afternoon mobility where exposed very strenuous and wind chill becoming severe.
How Wet?
Increasingly wet afternoon
Rain on and off post dawn will clear most areas for a few hours, though still patches here and there. Rain widely setting in afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; highest cloud base inland Lochaber
Fog persistent Loch Lomond NP and west of Loch Linnhe all day above 300-500m. Will lower further as rain sets in. Elsewhere, in rain patches below 600m, but often 750-1000m. perhaps higher toward and north of Glen Spean and near Lochs Ossian and Treig.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% most of region but 30% northeastern summits.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly toward Glen Spean and Lochs Ossian and Treig. Intermittently poor visibility, especially in rain. Often excellent northeastern areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C, but increasingly feeling as cold as minus 7C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 3rd October 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Oct 26 at
3:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southwesterly 20-30mph, rising to 30-40mph high tops by dusk. Strongest wind in ranges toward north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure all day with notable wind chill, deteriorating to challenging conditions evening into night.
How Wet?
Showers, temporarily the rain frequent
Showers from time to time, although the the rain may be very frequent over an hour or two, particularly more western mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, higher cloud base progressively eastwards
Cloud base will vary as rain comes and goes, sometimes below 400m mainly within 10 miles of the west coast, where only occasionally reaching 750m. Further eastwards, by midday, most cloud above 650m with breaks to 900m, perhaps 1050m central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly lower slopes well inland from west coast. Hazy and sometimes poor visibility western hills. Mostly very good visibility well inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, rising a degree well inland. Feeling as cold as -5 to -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
May just touch the summit of Ben Nevis at dawn, soon lifting above.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 4th October 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Oct 26 at
3:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 40-50mph on higher exposed areas. Probably nearer 35mph Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and walking difficult. General mobility strenuous on higher summits, particularly Lochaber.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain, mainly western hills.
Curtains of drizzly rain coming in off the sea penetrating 10-20 miles inland. Further inland, drizzly now and again.
Cloud on the hills?
Foggy across nearly all mountains all day
Persistent low cloud penetrating inland from about dawn will persist all day, forming on some coastal cliffs and inland from just above valleys. Well inland - toward central highlands most cloud above 600m, locally higher.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine may come through lower slopes toward central highlands, where visibility good. Elsewhere, often misty.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C. Will feel as cold as minus 6C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain at some stage more or less daily on most mountain areas through the coming week. However, frequently dry E & S Wales and S Pennines. Frequently windy Scottish Highlands, whilst progressively further south, periods of strong winds will be increasingly infrequent. A hint of a brief period of much colder weather around the middle of next week.