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.
Monday'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+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Monday 12th January 2026
Last updated
Sun 11th Jan 26 at
1:43PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive upland gales, although storm force at first N Scotland. Bands of showers, of hail, and snow higher areas, will merge to give periods of almost constant precipitation on many western mountains. Small risk thunder. Driest conditions will be on easternmost mountains and S Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Severe gale or storm force upland wind. Snow and fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to at first in morning approaching 70mph Lochaber. Will ease slowly toward 40mph near central belt, particularly Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking widely challenging, frequent buffeting even lower elevations, particularly Lochaber. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail; risk lightning
Heavy showers, or sometimes constant precipitation with small risk lightning. Expect hail and above 750m snow - giving intermittent whiteout.. Least precipitation central mountains near/north of Loch Ossian and Treig. Very wet underfoot.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost all higher areas persistently foggy
Cloud intermittently below 400m and rare if any breaks above 750m. Higher cloud base near/north of Loch Ossian and Treig, often 700, rarely 950m - but patches below 600m near showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare or no sun. A general haze; visibility very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Will feel as cold as -16C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
1050m. Some terrain lower down still frozen and icy.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 13th January 2026
Last updated
Sun 11th Jan 26 at
1:43PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Forecast confidence remains low: Most likely southwest or westerly 20mph, although there cold be a lull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Probably small.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain; snow higher areas
Unlikely to be dry at least near the coast north from Mull and Loch Etive where showery rain, or above 700m snow, may well be on and off. Fewer showers, with increasing chance of dry during daylight progressively eastwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive
Higher areas probably cloud covered, but in rain, particularly near the coast, cloud base may drop below 400m for periods. There may be breaks above 900m, particularly well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or perhaps no sunshine. Visibility sometimes very good although in rain poor or in snow appalling.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C
Freezing Level
800 to perhaps 950m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 14th January 2026
Last updated
Sun 11th Jan 26 at
1:43PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southerly around 25mph before later in day strengthening to 40-50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
May well be fairly small for several hours before walking.becomes increasingly difficult and wind chill significant.
How Wet?
Risk of snow an hail showers
Showers may come in off the sea giving hail and snow, although rain lower coastal slopes. Increasing threat precipitation setting in late in day.
Cloud on the hills?
Probably remaining extensive on most or all higher areas
Cloud sometimes forming below 450m near the coast, but cloud base generally rising to 600 to 750m, highest well inland where there may be breaks to 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine, mainly well inland. Visibility often very good, but very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
600m coastal hills, 400m elsewhere.
Planning Outlook
High rainfall and intermittently windy across most mountains over the next week or more as a series of Atlantic lows cross Britain. With uncertainty in the tracks of some lows, Tuesday's forecast remains very uncertain - but by Wednesday a transient weak ridge of high pressure will bring a brief improvement. Higher summits sometimes below freezing point S Scotland southwards: snow may accumulate on highest summits. Mostly below freezing Scottish Highlands enabling snow to accumulate widely.