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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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
Saturday 17th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving area of snowfall in central-eastern Highlands, may be often patchy and light, but risk locally more persistent, low cloud extensive. Clearer northwest coasts of Scotland. Low cloud much of northern England, some early rain and hill snow. Drier for Wales with varied low cloud. Light-moderate SE'ly winds.
Headline for West Highlands
Low cloud, some snow flurries. Light-moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 10 to 20mph, in places 25mph through some cols, passes and summits, particularly toward south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but marked wind chill in exposure on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Local snow flurries at times
Patchy light snow, drizzly rain lower slopes, mostly inland areas toward central highlands, may persist for a few hours. Small amounts if any toward western Lochaber. Local brief showers on islands.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent low cloud south and inland
Variable amounts on hills. Banks or patches at varying heights mid to upper slopes, patchy fog also some glens. Some hills often clear, mainly coast near Mull and areas west of Loch Linnhe.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 60% west Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun toward north/west of Fort William area, where visibility good. Rather misty and murky southern areas into central Highlands.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to +1C, but feeling closer to -8C in the strongest breeze.
Freezing Level
Varied across the area, 600-1000m, highest towards west coast/north Lochaber. Also frost into glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 18th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly, 25 to 35mph, strongest west; very gusty around high summits, downslope northwest of tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance over hills. More challenging in some exposed spots. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Small amounts of precipitation
Patchy showery rain around the islands, snow grains on high tops near coast, or lower down inland, mainly Loch Lomond NP, but very little if any north Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Low cloud widely, higher northwest
An extensive sheet of low cloud from mid-slopes up, particularly southern areas, but banks of cloud likely widely over hills - best breaks toward north/west of Ben Nevis group, but many tops often covered.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% south, to 30% N/W Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mainly north Lochaber where visibility very good out of cloud. Hazy near coast, mistier to some lower slopes in south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C many areas, near or just above 0C coastal areas. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Inland near or just below freezing from glens upward, but near coast & islands typically above freezing up to 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 19th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 20 to 30mph, gusty around some higher mountains and downslope to north, particularly Ben Nevis to Mull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure, starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on some ridges. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain or snow
Patchy areas of rain, or snow flurries mostly on higher terrain, most likely near coast and on islands. Small amounts further inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks north
Low cloud shrouding most hills Loch Lomond NP and up coast to Mull, to many mid-slopes. Higher bases northward, some breaks to tops near/west of Ben Nevis.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% south, to 40% N/W Lochaber.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little if any sun, glimpses mainly north Lochaber where visibility good. Murky southern areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C, small change with height inland. Feeling like -10C where exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
800 to 1000m. Also slight frost inland glens early morning.
Planning Outlook
A slow-moving weather pattern onward into early next week with chilly air in place across the British Isles, mountains staying near to freezing point in Scotland, typically just above freezing to high tops in England and Wales for a few days. Some weak fronts try to push in from the west bringing occasional rain and hill snow, amounts generally small. High pressure around Scandinavia is likely to dominate the patterns into the later stages of January, with colder air trying to push in from the east, much mountain terrain will be frozen. Occasional snow likely, generally driest in the northwest.