Mountain encounter guidance · Beta
Midges today and through the forecast week: check likely nuisance on the walk in, on the slopes and near the tops.
Compare approaches, mid-slopes and summit ground. A higher score means more potential nuisance, not better weather.
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Some calm spells, but the combined forecast conditions still suggest little midge activity.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Some calm spells, but the combined forecast conditions still suggest little midge activity.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Why? Some calm spells, but the combined forecast conditions still suggest little midge activity.
Midges shouldn't be much bother across the area. Still-air hollows by water can have a few even on a quiet day.
Read the full mountain forecast →Paths, glens and wetter lower ground
Why? Some calm spells, but the combined forecast conditions still suggest little midge activity.
Open hillside between the approach and tops
Why? Some calm spells, but the combined forecast conditions still suggest little midge activity.
Exposed upper mountain ground
Why? Few calm spells: wind helps limit midge activity. Sheltered spots may differ.
An experimental encounter forecast, not a trap count. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply.
Beta. An encounter guide, not a measured insect count or a probability of being bitten. Local wet ground, woodland and wind shelter can change conditions sharply. Check the full mountain weather before choosing a route.
Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Forecast run: 14 October 2026 at 15:27 UTC.
The central Beacons, Black Mountains and Fforest Fawr combine open ridges with wooded and sheltered valley routes. For a hill day, check the approach guidance as well as the tops.
If you return via a valley or stop near a stream, look at the later activity period. Conditions on Pen y Fan do not represent every sheltered place below.
Calmer spells and sheltered terrain are more favourable. A still glen, woodland edge or lee slope can feel very different from open ground nearby.
Mild, damp weather can support activity. Check the peak period for each height band, rather than treating the whole day as equally favourable. All times are local.
Wetter lower ground is often more productive, but a calm spell can still allow midges high on the hill. Summit height alone is not a guarantee of relief.
Each area separates approaches, mid-slopes and summits. The overall score reflects the most affected height band, so a breezy summit does not hide nuisance on the walk in. See how the forecast works.
For wider seasonal context, VisitScotland's midge guide explains the influence of still, damp weather and dawn or dusk. That general advice is separate from our weather-led regional forecasts.
For advice on treating bites or a serious reaction, use current NHS insect bite and sting guidance.
It estimates how favourable the forecast weather is for encountering biting midges. It is an encounter guide, not a measured insect count.
Midge activity is most often associated with the warmer months, particularly in damp western and northern areas. The exact start and end vary with local weather and habitat.
They can. Exposed, breezy summits are often less favourable than sheltered lower ground, but elevation is not a guaranteed cut-off during a mild, calm spell.
Check the forecast timing, favour airier locations where appropriate, cover exposed skin and carry a suitable insect repellent. Always make route decisions around the full mountain forecast, not midges alone.
For outdoor websites and trip planners
Help walkers and campers check the likely nuisance alongside the mountain weather. Midge forecasts are available with our paid API plans, with coverage and access confirmed before integration.