Ben Lawers Weather Forecast – 1,214m, Perthshire Highlands

Wednesday 4 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather82Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-20 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate60% Cloud base through day700-1,600 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:31 · Sunset 16:28 · 8.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

Dry, with light winds on Ben Lawers. Cloud could cover the tops and limit the views.

Wind

On the summit expect light winds of up to 15 mph, mainly south-easterly, with gusts of 15–25 mph at the windiest.

Cloud and visibility

There may be clearer spells later, but cloud could still cover the tops. Forecast models differ on how much summit cloud develops. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-morning.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:30pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

Cloud height is hard to pin down, so the summit could be in or out of cloud at short notice. Things could still change through the day, so keep an eye on the sky.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 5.5 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 1 h
Midday: 3.7 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

73

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Excellent Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground.

90

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: gusts of about 25 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Wednesday 4 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the southeast. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m10 mph · gusts 23 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 18%
Moonrise: 02:50 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 4 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 5 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 19 mph
Typical / low: 3.5°C / 3.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 23 mph
Typical / low: 3.5°C / 3.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m52 · mixed

Wind / gust: 12 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 2.1°C / 1.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 93% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. Good80 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Good conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust15-25 mphRain0.0 mm

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-04. All times are UK local time.

A noticeable aurora display is unlikely; any glow may be faint or camera-only

A noticeable aurora display is unlikely here. Any glow may be faint or camera-only. Activity peaks around Kp 3.0 (on a 0 to 9 scale).

Activity can change at short notice. Check again on the night.

Stargazing

Good sky conditions during the best available spell: 4 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.

Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.

Moon-free dark sky: 4 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 5 Nov, 02:55 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
4 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
4 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 5 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
5 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
5 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 18% illuminated.

Moonrise around 5 Nov, 02:55 GMT.

Full darkness: 4 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 5 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Wednesday 4 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Thursday 5 November 2026Confidence: High

Overall hill weather50Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0025-35 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate10% Cloud base through day600-900 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:33 · Sunset 16:26 · 8.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Ben Lawers, with the summit in cloud for most of the day.

Wind

On the summit expect an easterly wind of 15–25 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 25–35 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Drizzle sets in around midday.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:25pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Poor Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

49

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

52

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: gusts of about 30 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Thursday 5 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the southeast. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.1 mm Open ground · 600 m16 mph · gusts 25 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 11%
Moonrise: 04:14 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 5 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 6 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 13 mph / 21 mph
Typical / low: 3.8°C / 3.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 25 mph
Typical / low: 3.8°C / 3.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m50 · mixed

Wind / gust: 19 mph / 29 mph
Typical / low: 2.3°C / 2.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 100% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor14 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 25–35 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust25-35 mphRain0.7 mm

Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-05. All times are UK local time.

A noticeable aurora display is unlikely; any glow may be faint or camera-only

A noticeable aurora display is unlikely here. Any glow may be faint or camera-only. Activity peaks around Kp 3.7 (on a 0 to 9 scale). NOAA has a G1 storm watch out for this date, though the timing of the strongest activity can shift.

Activity can change at short notice. Check again on the night.

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 6 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT.

Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.

Moon-free dark sky: 5 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 6 Nov, 04:25 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
5 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 6 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
6 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 10% illuminated.

Moonrise around 6 Nov, 04:25 GMT.

Full darkness: 5 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 6 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Leonids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Thursday 5 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Friday 6 November 2026Confidence: High

Overall hill weather57Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-25 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate10% Cloud base through day600-900 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:35 · Sunset 16:24 · 8.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Ben Lawers, with the summit in cloud for most of the day.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-easterly wind of 5–25 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Drizzle sets in mid-morning.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:25pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

It's still two days off, so check again nearer the time.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates Less than 1 hour of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Cloud may obscure this summit even while the surrounding model grid indicates sunshine. The low cloud-free summit estimate is a reason to be cautious about expecting views.

Early: 0 h
Midday: Less than 1 hour
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

51

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 5-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

63

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain: gusts of about 15 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Friday 6 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. Expect some light rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain1.8 mm Open ground · 600 m9 mph · gusts 13 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 5%
Moonrise: 05:38 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

Cloud may affect views of the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 6 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 7 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 4.0°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 13 mph
Typical / low: 4.0°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m53 · mixed

Wind / gust: 11 mph / 15 mph
Typical / low: 2.5°C / 2.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 100% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor18 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust20-30 mphRain1.2 mm

Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaAurora activity could be sufficient, but cloud is forecast to block the northern view View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-06. All times are UK local time.

Aurora activity could be sufficient, but cloud is forecast to block the northern view

Aurora could come within view from here, most likely low towards the northern horizon. Activity peaks around Kp 5.0 (on a 0 to 9 scale). NOAA has a G1 storm watch out for this date, though the timing of the strongest activity can shift.

Look north-north-west, low above the horizon. A clear, open view that way matters more than height.

The Moon is below the horizon around the best forecast hour, so moonlight should not wash out a faint display then.

Aurora viewing guidance

Cloud is forecast to block most of the northern view, so seeing aurora is unlikely.

The terrain horizon has not been checked at this exact location. Nearby slopes or a lower campsite can have a very different view.

Relatively little surrounding artificial light lies towards the aurora compared with other assessed peaks.

Most likely a faint glow low in the sky that a phone camera shows better than your eyes. It can look like thin cloud.

Not sure what you are seeing? Take a Night-mode photo facing north: rest the phone on a rock or pack, use the main lens and a timer, and hold still for a 3–10 second exposure. Cameras show aurora colour long before eyes do.

Aurora activity can change quickly. This is experimental guidance, not a guaranteed sighting. Check again before heading out.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 7 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 6 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 7 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
6 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
6 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 7 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
7 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
7 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
7 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:30 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 5% illuminated.

Moonrise around 7 Nov, 05:50 GMT.

Full darkness: 6 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 7 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Leonids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Friday 6 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Saturday 7 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather52Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-20 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationAround 2-5 mm Cloud-free summit estimate10% Cloud base through day600-900 m Freezing level1,100-1,400 m DaylightSunrise 07:37 · Sunset 16:22 · 8.7 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Ben Lawers, with sleet or snow on the tops and the summit in cloud for most of the day.

Snow and navigation

Sleet or snow is possible on the tops during the morning and afternoon, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 1200 to 1500 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain.

Wind

On the summit expect light winds of up to 15 mph, mainly easterly, with gusts of 15–25 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Sleet for much of the day. Expect 2–5 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Most other forecast models keep it much drier than this.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:20pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

Cloud height is hard to pin down, so the summit could be in or out of cloud at short notice. It's still three days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

52

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

52

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain: gusts of about 20 mph. 54Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Saturday 7 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 20 mph. Expect some light rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain1.7 mm Open ground · 600 m8 mph · gusts 16 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 14 mph
Typical / low: 3.9°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m54 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 16 mph
Typical / low: 3.7°C / 3.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 87% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m51 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 19 mph
Typical / low: 2.5°C / 2.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 100% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaPoor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor29 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust15-25 mphRain3.4 mm

Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaMostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-07. All times are UK local time.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 7 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 7 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 8 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
7 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
7 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
7 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
7 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
7 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 8 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:30 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 2% illuminated.

Moonrise around 8 Nov, 07:15 GMT.

Full darkness: 7 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 8 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Leonids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Saturday 7 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Sunday 8 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather65Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-10 mph northerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate30% Cloud base through day500-1,600 m Freezing level1,000-1,300 m DaylightSunrise 07:40 · Sunset 16:20 · 8.7 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Ben Lawers, with sleet or snow on the tops and cloud coming and going on the summit.

Snow and navigation

Sleet or snow is possible on the tops in the morning, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 1100 to 1400 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain.

Wind

On the summit expect light winds of up to 10 mph, mainly northerly, with gusts of 5–15 mph at the windiest.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 500–800 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 8am.

Rain and ground

A band of sleet crosses mid-morning, clearing by midday. Expect up to 2 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:20pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

Cloud heights are particularly hard to pin down today. It's still four days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 0-10 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

53

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

77

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: dry, with light winds. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Sunday 8 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp up around 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m6 mph · gusts 11 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 5 mph / 9 mph
Typical / low: 3.7°C / 1.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 3.4°C / 2.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m54 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 13 mph
Typical / low: 2.0°C / 1.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 53% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor1 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust5-15 mphRain0.4 mm

Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloudSnow is likely to be lying on high ground, with further snowfall possible during the day

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-08. All times are UK local time.

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 8 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 8 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 9 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
8 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
8 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 9 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
9 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
9 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:30 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 0% illuminated.

Full darkness: 8 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 9 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Leonids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Sunday 8 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Monday 9 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather81Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-10 mph northwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate65% Cloud base through day500-1,600 m Freezing level900-1,200 m DaylightSunrise 07:42 · Sunset 16:18 · 8.6 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Ben Lawers: dry, with light winds.

Wind

On the summit expect light winds of up to 10 mph, mainly north-westerly, with gusts of 5–15 mph at the windiest.

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 500–800 m early in the morning. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 7am.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:20pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

Cloud heights are particularly hard to pin down today. It's still five days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 3.6 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: Less than 1 hour
Midday: 2.3 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

72

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Excellent Summit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground.

90

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: dry, with light winds. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Monday 9 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 9 mph. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp up around 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m5 mph · gusts 7 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 4 mph / 6 mph
Typical / low: 3.9°C / 3.4°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 5 mph / 7 mph
Typical / low: 3.4°C / 2.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 9 mph
Typical / low: 1.9°C / 1.7°C · much of the night
In cloud: 40% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaPoor conditions for exposed scrambling. Poor33 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Snow is likely on the rock and ledges, so it becomes a winter route. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust5-15 mphRain0.0 mm

Main concernSnow is likely to be lying on high ground. Scrambling may require winter mountaineering skills and equipment

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaMostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-09. All times are UK local time.

Aurora outlook

Slightly raised activity, probably not enough to reach this far.

A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 9 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 9 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 10 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
9 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
9 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 10 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:35 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 1% illuminated.

Full darkness: 9 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 10 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Leonids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Monday 9 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Tuesday 10 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather78Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph northerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-10 to -6°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate65% Cloud base through day700-1,500 m Freezing level900-1,200 m DaylightSunrise 07:44 · Sunset 16:16 · 8.5 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Ben Lawers: dry, with light winds.

Wind

On the summit expect light winds of up to 15 mph, mainly northerly, with gusts of 10–20 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 5 mph.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit in the early afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-morning. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 500–800 m. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 7am. Good spells of sunshine are likely.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -10 to -6°C in the wind. The freezing level is around 1000–1300 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:15pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

It's still six days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 6.8 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 0.8 h
Midday: 4 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later.

71

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

84

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold: a frost, down to 0°C. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Tuesday 10 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 20 mph. The wind swings from northerly to easterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A frost up around 900 m, down to about 0°C. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about -2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m10 mph · gusts 18 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -2°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 15 mph
Typical / low: 2.1°C / 1.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 18 mph
Typical / low: 2.0°C / 1.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 11 mph / 22 mph
Typical / low: 0.1°C / -0.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 47% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about -2°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaFair conditions for exposed scrambling. Good70 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Fair conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust10-20 mphRain0.0 mm

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-10. All times are UK local time.

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 10 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.

Moon-free dark sky: 10 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 11 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
10 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 11 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
11 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
11 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
11 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
11 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
11 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
11 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:35 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 3% illuminated.

Full darkness: 10 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 11 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.

Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Leonids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.

Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 489 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.

VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.

Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part

Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.

This is about Ben Lawers on Tuesday 10 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Wednesday 11 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather61Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-12 to -8°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate35% Cloud base through day700-1,500 m Freezing level800-1,100 m DaylightSunrise 07:46 · Sunset 16:14 · 8.5 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Ben Lawers, with cloud coming and going on the summit.

Wind

On the summit expect an easterly wind of 10–20 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 8am.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -12 to -8°C in the wind. The freezing level is around 900–1200 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 8 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:15pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

It's still seven days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground.

57

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

65

Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA poor night to camp on open ground: a frost, down to -2°C. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Wednesday 11 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A poor night to camp on open ground. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. A frost at every height we checked (300-900 m), down to about -2°C. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about -4°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m6 mph · gusts 14 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -4°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 5 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: -0.5°C / -0.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 14 mph
Typical / low: -0.5°C / -0.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

900 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 16 mph
Typical / low: -1.8°C / -2.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about -4°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaMixed conditions for exposed scrambling. Poor43 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Mixed conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly schist, a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust20-30 mphRain0.0 mm

Main concernmuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Calcareous pelite Ben Lawers Schist Formation

Origin: Metamorphic
Broad rock-response group: Psammite, pelite or semipelite
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Psammite, pelite or semipelite in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Schist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

psammite, pelite or semipelite

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. This does not mean clear skies or no aurora.

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Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

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Ben Lawers weather forecast.

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Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

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Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

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Stargazing

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The day on the hill

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

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Moon overnight

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Rock groups along the sampled routes

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora activity could be sufficient, but cloud is forecast to block the northern view

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Snow and navigation

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Snow and navigation

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook