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.
Saturday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 22nd February 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Feb 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy over the mountains, up to gale force higher Scottish tops particularly northwest, but a relative improvement compared to Friday and Sunday. Rain most frequent near Skye, patchy light showers elsewhere. Cloud often capping western tops, higher bases and some breaks eastwards. Near freezing on highest summits.
Headline for West Highlands
Windy on hills. Occasional showers, cloud often on tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-40mph, strongest in Ben Nevis area particularly in the morning, gusts on exposed high tops 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous, balance and stability will be affected. Moderating during day. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, flurries on high tops
Occasional light showers spreading inland from the west, locally more frequent for periods Mull into Lochaber. Some light sleet or flurries over tops above 1000m. Wet underfoot following previous rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Coast often cloudy, patchier inland
Cloud banks common with bases near 900m along the coast. Varied in and out of showers on tops elsewhere. Highest bases further inland, best chance of clear hills around Ben Alder to Creag Meagaidh.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% coast, 50% inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun well inland, little near the coast. Good to excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C. Feeling like -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
1200m
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 23rd February 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Feb 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 60 to 80mph, up to 100mph in gusts for periods on highest mountains in Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions: mobility challenging even at mid-elevations, frequently knocking you off your feet where exposed.
How Wet?
Heavy rain then frequent showers
Heavy rain setting in before dawn, lasting much of the morning, briefly wet snow on high tops. By middle of day, clusters of showers, merging into frequent rain for periods; back to snow on high tops into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest morning
Shrouding the mountains all day, lowest cloud bases in the morning, rising toward upper slopes by afternoon, but varied in and out of rain, highest of any breaks toward north/east of Rannoch Moor.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast morning, then some glimpses of sun forming, mainly well inland afternoon. Hazy, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C. Feeling like -15C or below due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing above 1000-1200m at first, but lifting above all tops. Into night starting to lower back to 1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 24th February 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Feb 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 60mph, risk 70mph for periods on higher Ben Nevis tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions, difficult on higher mountains, where squally gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, snow on tops
Frequent precipitation, locally constant for periods, likely focused on Lochaber to Mull; falling as snow above 700-800m. Possible heavier showers developing with hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Often covering higher summits, bases varied in and out of showers 700 to 900m, sometimes 600m near west coast; brief higher breaks above 1000m well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun inland. Visibility sometimes good, but very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C. Feeling like -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, tending to lower a little by evening, nearer 800m.
Planning Outlook
Wet underfoot following several spells of rain and a marked thaw. Weather conditions deteriorating again into Sunday with storm-force mountain winds and heavy rain. Chillier west to southwesterly winds prevail next week, a return to mostly sub-freezing conditions over Scottish Munros, whilst lower Scottish hills plus mountains in England & Wales will see some freeze and thaw. Showery conditions with hail and upland snow, mixed with occasionally more widespread precipitation.