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, fairly small impact
A noticeable breeze, locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow over higher ground, but wetter lower down with sleet or mostly rain on lowest terrain. The freezing level may vary locally and during the course of the day.
Cool
Feeling chilly on the hills, especially if exposed to any wind. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required
Extensive frozen mountain terrain with snow cover. Safe progress will require spikes, crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Moderate breeze, fairly small impact
A noticeable breeze, locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow over higher ground, but wetter lower down with sleet or mostly rain on lowest terrain. The freezing level may vary locally and during the course of the day.
Cool
Feeling chilly on the hills, especially if exposed to any wind. May not feel cold when climbing, but noticeably cold when stationary. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required
Extensive frozen mountain terrain with snow cover. Safe progress will require spikes, crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 9th December 2023
Last updated
Fri 8th Dec 23 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy rain and snow on higher Scottish tops push north over the Highlands. Heavy rain sets in across south & central Scotland. Heavy rain moves across England and Wales in the morning, followed by showers. Varied winds, fairly light much of Scotland, but increasing upland gales for England, severe for Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Areas of rain and snow on tops. Varied winds and cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly or variable 15 to 25mph, local lulls.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small
How Wet?
Rain and snow tops, wettest south
Areas of rain and upland snow on the Munros from dawn, tending to clear northwards for a time. Further rain and snow on tops pushing in from the south, setting in heavy Arran to Loch Lomond NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud extensive, or soon becoming extensive, across the hills. Down to lowest slopes in precipitation in south. Highest bases initially in Lochaber.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility poor, appalling in summit snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C later lowering to 1C. Feeling like -5C if exposed to breeze.
Freezing Level
Around 1200m, lowering to 1000m in constant precipitation, especially Lochaber. Lying snow on higher terrain, icy in places.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 10th December 2023
Last updated
Fri 8th Dec 23 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly, 15 to 30mph, speeds varied. Possibly becoming gusty 40mph coastal mountains in south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small inland and in Lochaber, but risk more challenging conditions developing locally Arran to Kintyre.
How Wet?
Risk rain and upland snow moving in
Patchy rain and wet snow on tops clearing north in the morning. Drier for a time, then risk of rain pushing in from southwest, may become heavy Arran to Loch Lomond, increasingly falling as snow above 700m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher areas
Shrouding most mountain tops throughout the day, lowest and most persistent in southern areas. Some breaks may form in Lochaber in middle of day. Filling in widely if precipitation sets in.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast, some brighter skies for a time in north. Visibility locally good if dry, but becoming poor if precipitation sets in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, dipping below 0C later. Wind chill feeling like -5C, or -10C if wind increases.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m; most Munro tops at least part-frozen with varied snow cover. Dropping below 700-800m in heavy precip.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 11th December 2023
Last updated
Fri 8th Dec 23 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction variable, most likely 10 to 20mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
A little snow or rain
Occasional showers, snow flurries above 800-900m inland, but rain to higher slopes near coasts. May amount to very little many areas, locally often dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering many tops
Varied banks of cloud or fog from lower elevations upward. Some slopes may be between cloud banks. Locally the cloud may clear, but risk often capping high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, glimpses of sun. Visibility mostly good out of cloud, but locally reduced around showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, highest on coastal tops. If exposed to breeze, feeling like -5C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, lowest inland in the morning. Local frost pockets inland glens at dawn.
Planning Outlook
Areas of low pressure dominate into the weekend and early next week bringing unsettled conditions as a series of fronts circulate over Britain. Periods of heavy rain, with snow over higher mountains in Scotland as tops stay near or just below freezing point. Some freeze-thaw higher up, but mid-heights generally above freezing - very wet underfoot due to rain and snowmelt, beware flooding of streams and rivers. Most tops in England and Wales above freezing with terrain not frozen apart from local snow pockets. Generally windy, gales or severe gales at times over the tops - strongest speeds most sustained for England and Wales. Least windy in northern Scotland.