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.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 20th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 19th May 26 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy with strong gusts, briefly lighter early in Scottish Highlands. Morning showery rain and low cloud; improving afternoon as patchy sun breaks out, cloud lifting to high terrain with summit breaks, and most areas substantially dry by later afternoon. Low cloud lingers in Wales and NW Scotland.
Headline for West Highlands
Increasingly blustery, gale-force gusts later; showery rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 15-25mph early, soon southwesterly and strengthening, to 30-35mph afternoon, sometimes up to 40mph over Ben Nevis summit and northern Lochaber summits too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded from dawn southern areas, increasingly strenuous widely by afternoon; strongest gusts will challenge balance with a marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showery rain, easing late
Several periods of showery rain from the west are likely to affect all Munros, lasting for several hours at a time. Some breaks in the rain, but remaining drizzly on the high tops. Trending drier late afternoon into evening, but staying drizzly in Lochaber for longer.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud shrouds coastal slopes from 600-700m upward well into the day, and perhaps to the lowest slopes/coastal cliffs during heaviest rain. Cloud to low slopes inland at dawn as well, this lifting as high as 1000m during rain breaks, but returning lower too. Into evening, cloud starts to break from the south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and often dull. A few glimpses of weak sun afternoon, and perhaps some sunset views in the south. Visibility largely poor in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 7C well inland and south islands; little change along the coast, particularly Lochaber, and perhaps more widely back to 5 or 6C north of Loch Lomond later. Feeling as cold as -5C in direct wind later.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 21st May 2026
Last updated
Tue 19th May 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph. Strong gusts over tops and elevated passes, also downslope to the north; lightest early.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking by afternoon with buffeting gusts challenging stability, including downslope early. Feeling cool.
How Wet?
Morning rain, persistent drizzle
Several hours of rain from around dawn. Rain passes north, leaving behind a persistent drizzle above 800-1000m in cloud, likely lower south of Mull towards Loch Lomond. Towards dusk, more rain arrives, mostly towards coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Fog from 300-600m upward in the morning, lowest towards the coast, to coastal cliffs southern islands. A lifting trend through afternoon, locally to 700-900m Glen Spean. Loch Lomond to Mull will struggle to clear above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Generally poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, warming from south to 10C, 11C well inland. Little change with height. Feeling near freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 22nd May 2026
Last updated
Tue 19th May 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 30-40mph dawn, strongest south; gusty, downslope too. Easing to 20-30mph, staying gusty on tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, notably south early, balance affected in gusts including low terrain; feeling chilly. Easing somewhat.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, dry windows
Patchy rain drifts from the southwest, greatest risk in the morning and evening near and north of Mull and Ben Nevis. Dry windows are probable midday and afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive early, most improvement inland north
Extensive at dawn west coast to 400-600m, higher inland at first but soon lowering as cloud moves in. As midday approaches, bases lift, towards 800-900m Glen Spean. Southern Islands to Loch Lomond unlikely clearing above 600-700m, though some chance of breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, rare glimpses of weak sunshine. Very good visibility where out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C rising to 10 or 11C, mildest inland and north. Feeling near freezing in early wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Pressure rises as the weekend approaches, facilitating south-southwesterly wind; much milder temperatures arriving, likely warm in England and Wales by the weekend. Blustery wind for a few days, quite gusty too, including to lower slopes early; still feeling chilly on high Scottish tops, and strongest gusts will challenge stability. Patchy rain and hill cloud will continue to affect Scotland as well, most often in the west. Increasingly dry and sunny England and Wales, but always with a risk of cloud and some rain, including early valley mist in sheltered areas. Higher pressure is indicated into next week as well. Precise detail of the high pressure core remains uncertain - the risk of strong wind and spells of rain possible for most areas, but also extended bright and warm periods too.