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.
Monday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 17th August 2026
Last updated
Sun 16th Aug 26 at
3:56PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Much of the Highlands largely dry well into the afternoon with light winds, but some local patchy light rain and varied cloud. Rain develops from the west later, setting in heavy into evening. England and Wales sees patchy rain, drizzle and low cloud, though mid & south Wales tends to improve.
Headline for West Highlands
Mostly dry with good cloud breaks, then heavy rain later.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable direction 10mph or less in morning, becoming southerly and tending to increase to 20mph during afternoon, later 25-30mph more western mountains, then all areas later evening onward.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but becoming more blustery later in day, may start to affect comfortable walking in exposure by evening.
How Wet?
Largely dry until afternoon, rain then develops west, later widely heavy
Substantially dry in morning, odd patches of light rain locally, developing mainly near to coasts south of Mull, gradually steadier rain arriving here afternoon, extending inland into evening, setting in extensively heavier from west for a few hours. Breaking up into showers onward into the night.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little, then later very low cloud develops widely
Patchy cloud around some slopes in the morning, but many mountains free of low cloud for many hours. Greater risk of low cloud banks Arran to Jura, pushing further inland from south later. Lowering cloud extensively in evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, then late in day dropping to 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, a little sun mostly weak through high cloud, thickening afternoon. Visibility very good, reducing to poor later in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9 or 10C, slight rise into afternoon. Feeling colder late in day as wind increases, close to freezing on high tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Tuesday 18th August 2026
Last updated
Sun 16th Aug 26 at
3:56PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 25 to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking, in places more frequent buffeting making movement challenging. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Showery rain throughout the day, odd heavier bursts inland by afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest coasts
Often covering coastal hills above 600 to 800m, inland more often the cloud above 800m, higher breaks forming afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy with brief sun. Visibility good, but reduced in showers and slight coastal haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, trending cooler later in day. Feeling near or below freezing in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 19th August 2026
Last updated
Sun 16th Aug 26 at
3:56PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Speed and direction likely to vary, may be often 10mph or less, but risk sudden gusts in rain. May be SW'ly 25-30mph in south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but prepare for notable wind chill if exposed to gusts, or stronger speeds locally.
How Wet?
Heavy showers forming, risk lightning
Patchy rain mostly around coasts and islands early in the day, but increasingly showery rain forming widely, heavy bursts mainly inland into the afternoon, moving around slowly to give rain locally for an hour or more. Risk of thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, most extensive around rain
Patchy cloud around some slopes in the morning, tending to lift toward high tops, mostly confined above 1000m with higher breaks. During and after rain, cloud lowering, ragged patches to lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief sun inland in the morning, clouding over; some sun later near coasts. Visibility very good when dry, but poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, little change all day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain spreads to most places on Monday night as a frontal system moves eastward. Low pressure to the north will gradually drift south to envelop most of Britain into midweek, bringing showery conditions widely, some more organised bands of rain at times. Some heavy and thundery downpours forming, mostly into the afternoons in the second half of this week, becoming focused further south with time. Fresh westerly winds turning northerly and temperature lowering later in the week, dropping close to freezing on high Scottish tops by Friday and frost may occur in Highland glens over a couple of nights. Drier weather is likely by the weekend as higher pressure builds.