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.
Thursday'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+
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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
Thursday 27th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Nov 25 at
1:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Powerful south to south-westerly winds, bringing widespread upland gales with rain on and off, frequent or constant for western mountains, and persistent fog across the hills. Later a cold front will move in, clearing to squally showers Scotland around dusk.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales or severe gales with severe wind chill. Frequent rain and extensive hill fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening quickly with height to widely 60mph where exposed on higher summits. May exceed 70mph west coast later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking difficult or very difficult later. Where exposed on higher areas, generally mobility a struggle.
How Wet?
Frequent or constant rain
Rain and drizzle most of the day - clearing to squally showers from dusk on passage of cold front, with snow returning to tops. Least rain near and north of Lochs Treig, Ossian and Glen Spean.
Cloud on the hills?
Mountains persistently foggy.
Persistent cloud from 200 to 450m most mountains. Cloud base 500 to 700m near and north of Lochs Treig, Ossian and Glen Spean There may be an improvement - but only late in day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun near/north of Lochs Treig, Ossian and Glen Spean. Visibility widely poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C. Will feel as cold as minus 9C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 28th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Nov 25 at
1:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph. Winds at peak strength early in the morning across Lochaber.
Effect of the wind on you?
Extensively difficult or very difficult conditions with severe wind chill and buffeting. Strong gusts into glens.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, snow higher slopes.
Showers frequent and falling as snow above 700-900m. May merge into more prolonged rain and snow as a trough moves in from the west. Risk thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive upper slopes, bases varying.
Bases varying rapidly, but generally around 700-900m. Lowest bases coastal hills where at times in showers patches down to 500m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fleeting bursts of sun, mainly in the east. Visibility often poor due to rain, or on upper slopes snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around freezing, perhaps just below inland, or just above near west coast.
Freezing Level
800-1000m, highest near west coast.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 29th November 2025
Last updated
Wed 26th Nov 25 at
1:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in forecast: Most likely northerly, 15 to 25mph, may increase to 30 to 45mph through day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for significant wind chill in the north wind and some buffeting. May become fairly arduous later.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Likely dry, bar snow flurries west coast for a time. Small risk, should an small area of low pressure track further north, of prolonged snow into south for a time.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, mainly confined to tops.
Cloud cover variable across area, but tending to come and go across higher tops from Lochaber and down the west coast. Low risk extensive in south later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Sunshine and air clarity?
Variable cloud and occasional sun. Veil of cloud may edge up from south. Visibility mostly very good, but poor should rain/snow develop in south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around -2C
Freezing Level
Around 600m
Planning Outlook
Colder over the weekend again, but much uncertainty on the track of a small scale low on Saturday which would bring rain, upland snow and a core of strong winds for a time, most likely England and Wales. Sunday then mostly dry, bright and cold. Next week,. a long series of Atlantic lows passing north of or across Britain will bring high rainfall to western mountains together with frequent upland gales (sometimes stormy) and low cloud. Freeze-thaw cycles, with periods of fresh snow for Scottish hills especially.