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.
Tuesday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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
Tuesday 24th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 23rd Mar 26 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread gales, severe early in Scotland. Showers in west Scotland, pushing east, turning snowy and setting in for a time. Near constant rain for Lakeland and Yorks Dales, becoming heavy with a rising flood risk. Rain spreads widely across England and Wales later, wind strengthens in Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales, severe early; snow/hail showers, more constant for a period
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 45 to 60mph, up to 70mph Ben Nevis in morning. An easing trend afternoon, locally to 30mph north of Glencoe, but powerful squally gusts are likely all day with a risk of higher speeds returning too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions widely in the morning, mobility very challenging on higher terrain in exposure with severe wind chill. Effects will ease, though walking remains impeded in exposure; always the risk of powerful gusts.
How Wet?
Heavy snow and hail showers, more persistent afternoon
Showers from dawn, increasingly heavy and frequent, gradually clustering into more constant precipitation and falling as snow toward lowering elevations, some hail too. Snow/rain sets in persistently for several afternoon hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but fairly extensive tops, to middle slopes afternoon.
Shrouding higher mountains frequently, cloud base changing rapidly around showers, often capping hills above 700-900m. For several afternoon hours, cloud more extensive from at least 600m upward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun well inland, becoming overcast afternoon. Visibility very poor at times, appalling in snow and cloud; intermittently good but ultimately deteriorating.
How Cold? (at 900m)
+1C at first, lowering to -2C afternoon, lowering another degree or two overnight. Feeling as cold as -15 to -18C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Dropping from northwest to 1000m early in day, 700-900m by noon (always lowest in the north), 500-600m later, locally staying nearer 700m along coastal slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 25th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 23rd Mar 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 35 to 45mph, varying speeds with squally gusts around showers, risk up to 55mph in gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions, frequent buffeting, often arduous over higher exposed terrain. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Showery snow and hail falling to lower slopes, frequent to at times near-constant over coastal areas, but extending inland across all the region. Risk of isolated thunder & lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying over tops
Cloud base constantly changing, will come and go all day above 900m, frequently capping high tops toward coasts, patches at times to 600m. Briefly clearing tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sun, mostly morning east from Loch Lomond. Visibility intermittently very good, but appalling at times in showers with brief whiteout over tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, slight rise into afternoon. Wind chill feeling like -17 to -20C on tops.
Freezing Level
400m from dawn, lifting to 600m, slightly higher away from showers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 26th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 23rd Mar 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
NW'ly 20-30mph early. Easing to 10-15mph and shifting W'ly, later SW'ly, restrengthening into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded with some stability challenges in exposure early in the day, easing to fairly small.
How Wet?
Mostly dry, rain arrives through afternoon
Dry most of the day. Patchy snow arrives on high coastal slopes afternoon, gradually spreading widely into evening and turning to rain, heavy falls overnight near the coast.
Cloud on the hills?
Just high tops most of the day, often clear
Most hills clear in the morning, a few cloud caps over high tops from Mull to Clyde Sea Lochs. Cloud begins lowering to the tops from the west afternoon, filling in extensively across high terrain into evening and further lowering.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%, lowering to 40% late in the day
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine early in the day, soon weakened by high cloud, increasingly overcast. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, rising to -2C, then up to several degrees above freezing overnight. Feeling as cold as -15 in direct wind early.
Freezing Level
300-400m, some lower frosts likely too. A slight rise, then sharply lifting above the summits for several overnight hours.
Planning Outlook
Cold, wintry conditions across all mountains into midweek - significant chill factor from gale force west then northwesterly winds. Hail and snow showers extend southwards into Wednesday, by then below freezing on all tops above 600-700m. Fewer showers by Thursday for many, though further snow then rain moves into western Scotland. Temperature and freezing level then varying as changeable westerlies prevail for Scotland through the weekend into early next week with periods of upland gales widely, accompanied by spells of rain, hill snow and hail showers; some windows of drier weather more often affect England & Wales.