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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 17th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Snow setting in for a time over the Munros in Scotland, staying sub-zero on high tops. Showery in the Southern Uplands. Windy with bursts of rain in north England, fading through afternoon as cloud lifts and breaks. Mostly dry with a brisk breeze south Pennines and Wales with frequent sunshine.
Headline for West Highlands
Persistent rain/hill snow midday, south areas clearing later
How windy? (On the Munros)
At dawn, northwesterly 15-20mph, some stronger winds around Arran. Soon shifting westerly and easing to 15mph or less, highest winds around Trossachs.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small though a notably wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, persistent rain and hill snow through middle of the day
Morning rain and hill snow on coastal areas Mull and south. Soon moving inland for persistent rain and hill snow onto most inland areas from Lochaber south, showers north of here. Showers and hill snow always drifting inland from the west.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Fairly extensive over high terrain at dawn, lowering to 800-900m in many places as rain sets in, some bases near the coast lowering to 700m. Bases lifting with breaks south of Mull and the Ben Nevis range through the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun, though some glimpses in the south later afternoon. Mostly poor visibility, very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C to +1C Feeling like -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
800-900m, rising towards 1000m through the afternoon
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 18th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 15-25mph at dawn, increasing to 30-40mph. Winds always strongest Mull and southward.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded at times, notably south where balance will be challenged on exposed terrain. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain along coast, mostly north
Bursts of rain come and go around Mull and Lochaber, drifting northward. A few patchy spots of light rain south of here
Cloud on the hills?
High coastal terrain often shrouded.
High coastal terrain from Mull southward often shrouded. Bases lowering to 700-800m in heavy rain. To the north and inland, cloud caps frequent over high terrain, though breaks to high tops will occur.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% near the coast, 70% inland
Sunshine and air clarity?
No sun expected. Visibility good away from rain, possible haze, poorer toward coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, rising slightly. Wind chill -5 to -8C, near -10C in places.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m at dawn. Lifting off most summits in the afternoon, though some inland summits staying near freezing level.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 19th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly at dawn 20-30mph. Some stronger winds around Arran and Islay at first. Turning easterly and easing to 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, some walking impeded in the morning, notably in southern areas. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Chance of light rain on coastal slopes at dawn, soon drying, though may be entirely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Early low mist dispersing
Misty glens and corries at dawn, dispersing. Passing cloud banks drift over high tops at times, though mostly clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of sun. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C at dawn, warmest near the coast. Rising to around 5C.
Freezing Level
Around 1100m at dawn, rising mostly above the summits. Highest tops east of Loch Linnhe may remain near freezing.
Planning Outlook
Several cores of low pressure are circulating around the British Isles through the weekend and into next week. Western areas are likely to see rain with a few stray showers into the east. High pressure will briefly build in on Easter, settling the weather momentarily. Southern areas will see showers into early next week and low pressure will become dominant in the Atlantic, which may push several bands of rain eastward toward the British Isles, though details remain uncertain at this point. Temperatures will be near average or slightly cooler, depending on the position of low pressure.