Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Ben Lomond Weather
Mountain forecast and current conditions · summit 974m
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:25
- Sunset
- 21:05
- Civil dawn
- 04:39
- Civil dusk
- 21:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
About the weather here
Ben Lomond (974m) is Scotland's most southerly Munro and one of its most visited. The mountain rises directly from Loch Lomond's eastern shore and is visible from much of central Scotland. Despite its relatively modest height, Ben Lomond experiences genuinely severe conditions — its exposed southern position on the Atlantic edge means it is frequently cloud-capped even when higher Perthshire hills are clear.
What to expect
Ben Lomond's weather is heavily influenced by Loch Lomond itself and the lowland-to-highland transition. The summit is in cloud on approximately 250 days per year. The narrow summit ridge is exposed to south-westerly winds that accelerate up the Tourist Route. Because of the mountain's accessibility from Glasgow (1h), many walkers underestimate conditions — it is not a benign hill. The thermal lapse rate means the summit is typically 6–7°C cooler than Balloch at the loch shore.
Wind exposure
Moderate to high. The summit ridge runs north-south and is exposed to the prevailing south-westerly Atlantic airstream. The Ptarmigan descent ridge (north-east) is particularly exposed. Wind speeds at the summit regularly reach 50+ mph during frontal passages.
Winter conditions
Ben Lomond in winter conditions is significantly more demanding than its summer reputation suggests. The upper Tourist Route becomes an ice slope requiring crampons and ice axe in sustained frost. The Ptarmigan ridge holds cornices on its north-east edge. SAIS does not cover Ben Lomond specifically — check the MWIS forecast for Loch Lomond and Trossachs. The B837 access road to Rowardennan is not gritted and may be impassable after snowfall.
Official forecasts
Always check an official mountain forecast before setting out. Current conditions displayed above are from the Open-Meteo API and are indicative only.
Hills in this area
| Hill | Height |
|---|---|
| Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) | 943m |
| An Caisteal | 995m |
| Beinn Narnain | 926m |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ben Lomond harder than it looks?
- Yes — Ben Lomond has a reputation as an accessible Munro that leads many walkers to underestimate it. The upper Tourist Route is steep and exposed. In wet or windy conditions the path becomes treacherous. In winter (November–March) it requires hillwalking experience, appropriate footwear and potentially crampons.
- What is the weather like on Ben Lomond compared to Glasgow?
- The summit is typically 6–7°C colder than Glasgow and significantly windier. On a pleasant Glasgow day (17°C, light wind), expect 10°C with strong gusts at the summit. Cloud regularly sits at 500–700m — the glen and loch can be sunny while the upper mountain is in thick mist.
- Can I see Ben Lomond in cloud from Balloch?
- Yes — this is one of the most common misreads. The lochside and lower glen can be sunny and clear while the summit ridge sits in persistent cloud. Always check the MWIS forecast rather than assessing conditions from the car park or lochside.
- What month is best for Ben Lomond?
- May and June give the best combination of settled weather, long daylight and lower visitor numbers than July–August. September is also excellent with clearer autumn air. Avoid July and August bank holiday weekends when the path is extremely congested.