Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis) Weather Forecast

Monday 19 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather86Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph southerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0025-35 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Cloud base through day600-900 m Freezing levelAbove summit Last observed cloud baseAbove about 1,100 m 18 October 2026, 18:29 BST · Older observation Provisional estimate, above sea level. DaylightSunrise 08:00 · Sunset 18:08 · 10.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine day on Ben Nevis: dry and breezy, with clear tops for most of the day.

Wind

On the summit expect a southerly wind of 10–25 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. It gets windier still after dark, with summit gusts of 35–45 mph, so bear that in mind if you will be out late.

Cloud and visibility

The tops should stay mostly clear of cloud. A few forecast models bring the cloud base down to around 600–900 m at times. The cloud base sits close to summit height, so the top could go in and out of cloud at short notice. Good spells of sunshine are likely. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

Sunset is around 6:10pm, 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 7.3 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: 4 h
Later: 1 h

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

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

93

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground.

79

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m (gusts of about 50 mph). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Monday 19 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 50 mph around 900 m and nearer 35 mph around 300 m, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Pitch low down and in real shelter, or leave it for another night. Dry to pitch, then some light rain overnight, easing by morning, though the tent may still be wet. 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. Overnight lows of about 5°C at 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 4°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain1.6 mm Open ground · 600 m24 mph · gusts 42 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 4°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 63%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 00:13 next morning BST

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

Overnight window: 19 Oct, 17:00 BST to 20 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 20 mph / 35 mph
Typical / low: 8.3°C / 7.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 24 mph / 42 mph
Typical / low: 8.1°C / 6.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 60% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 28 mph / 49 mph
Typical / low: 6.2°C / 4.7°C · a brief spell
In cloud: 93% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-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 & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 25–35 mph. Excellent85 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. Gusts of 25–35 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. 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 gust25-35 mphRain0.0 mm

Main concerngusts of 25–35 mph

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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 2026-10-19. 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 4.7 (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

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 19 Oct, 20:15 BST to 21:00 BST.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 20 Oct, 00:10 BST to 05:55 BST.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
19 Oct, 20:15 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
19 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
19 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
19 Oct, 23:00 BST to 20 Oct, 00:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 05:00 BST to 05:55 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 62% illuminated.

Moonset around 20 Oct, 00:10 BST.

Full darkness: 19 Oct, 20:15 BST to 20 Oct, 05:55 BST.

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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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.

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This is about Ben Nevis on Monday 19 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

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Tuesday 20 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather6Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0025-35 mph southerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0040-50 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationAround 5-10 mm Cloud-free summit estimate15% Cloud base through day500-1,300 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 08:02 · Sunset 18:06 · 10.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Ben Nevis, with the summit in cloud for most of the day and rain for much of the day.

Wind

On the summit expect a southerly wind of 25–35 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 40–50 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m in the early 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

Rain for much of the day. Expect 5–10 mm in total. Totals are uncertain and could be higher.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°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. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

Sunset is around 6:05pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

The forecast models disagree on how strong the wind will be, so it could be noticeably stronger than this. Some of the detail could still change, so have a last look at the forecast in the morning before you set off.

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 25-35 mph. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is possible during the morning, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.

8

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor More rain is expected. Summit winds around 25-35 mph. Gusts around 35-45 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is forecast during the afternoon, but models differ considerably on the amount.

5

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 wind: gusts of about 35 mph and about 7 mm of rain. 52Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Tuesday 20 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 35 mph around 900 m and nearer 25 mph around 300 m, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Look for shelter from the south. The wind swings from southerly to northwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect about 7 mm of 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. 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 rain7.0 mm Open ground · 600 m17 mph · gusts 32 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 72%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 01:36 next morning BST

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

Overnight window: 20 Oct, 17:00 BST to 21 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m58 · mixed

Wind / gust: 15 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 6.9°C / 3.9°C · a brief spell
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m52 · mixed

Wind / gust: 17 mph / 32 mph
Typical / low: 5.9°C / 2.8°C · a brief spell
In cloud: 7% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m38 · poor

Wind / gust: 20 mph / 37 mph
Typical / low: 4.2°C / 0.7°C · much of the night
In cloud: 47% 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: gusts of 40–50 mph. Poor0 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 40–50 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 andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. 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 gust40-50 mphRain6.5 mm

Main factorsgusts of 40–50 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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 2026-10-20. 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

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 20 Oct, 20:10 BST to 21:00 BST.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 21 Oct, 01:35 BST to 06:00 BST.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
20 Oct, 20:10 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 23:00 BST to 21 Oct, 00:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
21 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 72% illuminated.

Moonset around 21 Oct, 01:35 BST.

Full darkness: 20 Oct, 20:10 BST to 21 Oct, 06:00 BST.

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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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 Nevis on Tuesday 20 October 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 21 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather20Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph northerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-12 to -8°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate10% Cloud base through day700-1,000 m Freezing level700-1,000 m DaylightSunrise 08:04 · Sunset 18:03 · 10.0 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Ben Nevis, with sleet or snow up high and the summit in cloud for most of the day.

Things to watch

Burns could rise quickly through the day and overnight. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Snow and navigation

Blowing snow may quickly cover paths and footprints and make navigation difficult. Snow may collect in deeper drifts in hollows, behind boulders and on slopes sheltered from the wind. Exposed ground may be scoured while nearby drifts deepen. Wind-loaded slopes can also be avalanche terrain. Check the local avalanche forecast where one is available; this is not an assessment of slope stability.

Wind

On the summit expect a northerly wind of 10–25 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 600–900 m mid-afternoon. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 400–700 m. 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 7am.

Rain and ground

Snow for much of the day. Some forecast models keep it drier in the morning. The forecast model suggests around 8 cm of fresh snowfall at around 1286 m between 09:00 and 19:00 (local time). The amount settling is uncertain and will vary with melting and drifting.

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 800–1100 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

Sunset is around 6:05pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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

The Orionids are around their peak and clear, dark spells are forecast: worth a look after midnight. Displays vary, so no promises. Check the After dark forecast below for viewing times and limitations.

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 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the morning, while others keep it mostly dry.

25

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

16

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: about 5 mm of rain and a frost, down to -1°C. 51Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Wednesday 21 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the north. The wind swings from northerly to westerly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect about 5 mm of rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. 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 -1°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 rain5.0 mm Open ground · 600 m12 mph · gusts 20 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 80%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 03:00 next morning BST

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

Overnight window: 21 Oct, 17:00 BST to 22 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m56 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 16 mph
Typical / low: 2.7°C / 2.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m51 · mixed

Wind / gust: 12 mph / 20 mph
Typical / low: 1.7°C / 1.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 7% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 15 mph / 25 mph
Typical / low: -0.3°C / -0.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 47% 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 -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 & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor0 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. 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 andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. 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 mphRain12.9 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 Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-10-21. 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 3.3 (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: 22 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST.

Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.

Moon-free dark sky: 22 Oct, 02:55 BST to 06:00 BST.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
21 Oct, 20:10 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 23:00 BST to 22 Oct, 00:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST	Good sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
22 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Good sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
22 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Mixed sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 80% illuminated.

Moonset around 22 Oct, 02:55 BST.

Full darkness: 21 Oct, 20:10 BST to 22 Oct, 06:00 BST.

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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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 Nevis on Wednesday 21 October 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 22 October 2026Confidence: Low

Overall hill weather74Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-12 to -8°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate65% Cloud base through day700-2,100 m Freezing level700-1,000 m DaylightSunrise 08:06 · Sunset 18:01 · 9.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

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

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of 10–25 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. It gets windier still after dark, with summit gusts of 25–35 mph, so bear that in mind if you will be out late.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m in the late afternoon. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 400–700 m. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 9am. Good spells of sunshine are likely.

Rain and ground

Mostly dry, but some forecast models bring rain in the afternoon. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.

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 800–1100 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

Sunset is around 6pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

The forecast models disagree on how strong the wind will be, so it could be noticeably stronger than this. 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 7.8 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: Less than 1 hour
Midday: 4 h
Later: 1.6 h

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

84

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.

65

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 wind: gusts of about 30 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Thursday 22 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 30 mph around 900 m and nearer 20 mph around 300 m, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the southwest. Expect a little rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. The air is damp up around 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 0°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 rain0.9 mm Open ground · 600 m12 mph · gusts 25 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 88%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 04:24 next morning BST

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

Overnight window: 22 Oct, 17:00 BST to 23 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 20 mph
Typical / low: 4.5°C / 3.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 12 mph / 25 mph
Typical / low: 3.1°C / 2.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m47 · mixed

Wind / gust: 14 mph / 31 mph
Typical / low: 0.9°C / 0.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 20% 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. Poor0 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. After recent rain the rock may still be wet in places, especially shaded holds and drainage lines. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. 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 andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceDry overhead; seepage uncertainPeak gust20-30 mphRainPossible · 95%

Main factorsdamp or incompletely dried rock possibleSnow 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 Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-10-22. All times are UK local time.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 22 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 23 Oct, 04:20 BST to 06:00 BST.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
22 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 23:00 BST to 23 Oct, 00:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 88% illuminated.

Moonset around 23 Oct, 04:20 BST.

Full darkness: 22 Oct, 20:05 BST to 23 Oct, 06:00 BST.

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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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 Nevis on Thursday 22 October 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 23 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather69Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph westerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-10 to -6°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate80% Cloud base through day1,200-1,900 m Freezing level800-1,100 m DaylightSunrise 08:09 · Sunset 17:58 · 9.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Ben Nevis: dry, with light winds and clear tops for most of the day.

Wind

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

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit around midday. The cloud base could be as low as 900–1200 m mid-afternoon. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 600–900 m. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 10am. It will look largely cloudy overhead, but that cloud should mostly stay above the tops.

Rain and ground

Mostly dry, but some forecast models bring rain in the morning. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.

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 900–1200 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

Sunset is around 6pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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 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. Rain is possible during the morning, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.

62

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.

76

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch up around 900 m (gusts of about 45 mph). Lower down, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Friday 23 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Too windy for an exposed pitch up around 900 m. Lower down, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 45 mph around 900 m and nearer 30 mph around 300 m, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Pitch low down and in real shelter, or leave it for another night. Dry to pitch, then some light rain overnight and into the morning, so expect to pack a wet tent. A cold night, down to about 0°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 rain1.6 mm Open ground · 600 m16 mph · gusts 37 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 94%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 05:51 next morning BST

Clear spells may allow a view of the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 23 Oct, 17:00 BST to 24 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 14 mph / 31 mph
Typical / low: 4.0°C / 3.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 37 mph
Typical / low: 2.7°C / 2.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 20 mph / 46 mph
Typical / low: 0.4°C / 0.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 13% 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 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. Poor0 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. After recent rain the rock may still be wet in places, especially shaded holds and drainage lines. 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 andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceDry overhead; seepage uncertainPeak gust10-20 mphRainPossible · 90%

Main factorsdamp or incompletely dried rock possibleSnow 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 Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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 clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-10-23. 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: 24 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST.

Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 24 Oct, 05:45 BST to 06:05 BST.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
23 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
23 Oct, 23:00 BST to 24 Oct, 00:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
24 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 06:00 BST to 06:05 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 94% illuminated.

Moonset around 24 Oct, 05:45 BST.

Full darkness: 23 Oct, 20:05 BST to 24 Oct, 06:05 BST.

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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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 Nevis on Friday 23 October 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 24 October 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather6Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0020-40 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0040-50 mph Feels like-12 to -8°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate30% Cloud base through day700-1,700 m Freezing level900-1,200 m DaylightSunrise 08:11 · Sunset 17:56 · 9.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Ben Nevis, with strong, gusty winds and sleet or snow up high.

Snow and navigation

There is a risk of blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon, when snow and strong winds coincide. Paths and footprints can quickly disappear beneath falling and blowing snow. Snow may collect in deeper drifts in hollows, behind boulders and on slopes sheltered from the wind. Exposed ground may be scoured while nearby drifts deepen. Wind-loaded slopes can also be avalanche terrain. Check the local avalanche forecast where one is available; this is not an assessment of slope stability.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of 20–40 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 40–50 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 70–80 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by 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 300–600 m. 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. Visibility may drop briefly in showers. Where snow covers the ground, the sky and hillside can merge into a featureless white view, making it difficult to judge slope or direction. Do not rely on following a visible path. Avoid exposed routes if you cannot navigate safely in these conditions, and turn back before visibility deteriorates.

Rain and ground

Snow for much of the day. Some forecast models keep it drier in the morning. The forecast model suggests around 5 cm of fresh snowfall at around 1286 m between 09:00 and 18:00 (local time). The amount settling is uncertain and will vary with melting and drifting.

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 1000–1300 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

Sunset is around 5:55pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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 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 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 30-40 mph. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the morning, while others keep it mostly dry.

-2

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor Summit winds around 30-40 mph in the early afternoon, easing to 20-30 mph later. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry.

14

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill: gusts of about 80 mph and around 13 mm of rain. 0Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Saturday 24 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 80 mph around 900 m and nearer 55 mph around 300 m, strong enough to flatten or tear a tent. Don't count on finding shelter once you're up there. Choose another night or a low, sheltered spot. Expect a wet night, around 13 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. A frost up around 900 m, down to about 0°C. 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 rain13.4 mm Open ground · 600 m28 mph · gusts 64 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Near-full moon

Illuminated disc: 98%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 06:23 next morning GMT

Views of the Moon may come and go through cloud breaks. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 24 Oct, 17:00 BST to 25 Oct, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 23 mph / 53 mph
Typical / low: 5.0°C / 4.1°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 28 mph / 64 mph
Typical / low: 3.1°C / 2.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 35 mph / 79 mph
Typical / low: 0.8°C / 0.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 12% 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 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. Poor0 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. Gusts of 40–50 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 andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. 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 gust40-50 mphRain12.2 mm

Main factorsgusts of 40–50 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-10-24. 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: 24 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.

A bright moon is up all through the dark hours, washing out fainter stars and meteors.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
24 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 23:00 BST to 25 Oct, 00:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 01:00 BST to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:05 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-full moon, about 98% illuminated.

Moonset around 25 Oct, 06:15 GMT.

Full darkness: 24 Oct, 20:05 BST to 25 Oct, 05:05 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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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 Nevis on Saturday 24 October 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 25 October 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather-76Severe hill conditions

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0050-65 mph westerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0075-85 mph Feels like-14 to -10°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate30% Cloud base through day700-1,700 m Freezing level1,000-1,300 m DaylightSunrise 07:13 · Sunset 16:53 · 9.7 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A wild day on the tops of Ben Nevis, with severe winds and sleet or snow up high. Not a day for the summit.

Things to watch

Burns could rise quickly through the day and overnight. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Snow and navigation

There is a risk of blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon, when snow and strong winds coincide. Paths and footprints can quickly disappear beneath falling and blowing snow. Snow may collect in deeper drifts in hollows, behind boulders and on slopes sheltered from the wind. Exposed ground may be scoured while nearby drifts deepen. Wind-loaded slopes can also be avalanche terrain. Check the local avalanche forecast where one is available; this is not an assessment of slope stability.

Wind

On the summit expect a westerly wind of 50–65 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 75–85 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 10–20 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 110–120 mph.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit mid-afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m early in the morning. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 300–600 m. 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. Visibility may drop briefly in showers. Where snow covers the ground, the sky and hillside can merge into a featureless white view, making it difficult to judge slope or direction. Do not rely on following a visible path. Avoid exposed routes if you cannot navigate safely in these conditions, and turn back before visibility deteriorates.

Rain and ground

Snow for much of the day. Expect 10–20 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -14 to -10°C in the wind. The freezing level is around 1100–1400 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Hat, gloves and a warm insulated layer are essential, with extra warmth for stops. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:55pm, 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.

Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans. Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans.

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 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 50-60 mph. Gusts around 70-80 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

-73

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 55-65 mph. Gusts around 75-85 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast during this period.

-79

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill: gusts of about 80 mph and around 9 mm of rain. 0Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Sunday 25 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 80 mph around 900 m and nearer 55 mph around 300 m, strong enough to flatten or tear a tent. Don't count on finding shelter once you're up there. Choose another night or a low, sheltered spot. Expect a wet night, around 9 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. 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 rain8.8 mm Open ground · 600 m46 mph · gusts 66 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Near-full moon

Illuminated disc: 100%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: Outside this window

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

Overnight window: 25 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 38 mph / 55 mph
Typical / low: 2.4°C / 1.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 46 mph / 66 mph
Typical / low: 1.9°C / 1.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 56 mph / 78 mph
Typical / low: 0.0°C / -0.4°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 -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 & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor0 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. Gusts of 75–85 mph are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly andesite, a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. On the usual routes up you may also cross granite, which has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. 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 gust75-85 mphRain12.6 mm

Main factorsgusts of 75–85 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation

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

View the summit BGS record

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground. 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.

Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

volcanic rock, granite, gneiss or gabbro

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.

Summit-area sample Hornblende-andesite lava Ben Nevis Volcanic Formation 856–1,343 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.

BGS record

Route sample Leucomicrogranodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite) 511–1,020 m samples Seen on Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Porphyritic granodiorite Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite) 393–535 m samples Seen on Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

Granite is a coarse, crystalline rock. It has excellent friction when dry and clean and is fair when wet, but greasy where there is lichen or moss. It is generally solid, but weathers into rounded slabs and blocks, and loose granite grit on slabs can roll underfoot like ball bearings.

BGS record

Route sample Lamprophyre Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm Around 174 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Lamprophyre is a dark rock that usually forms thin dykes. It grips reasonably when dry and is poor when wet. It weathers easily and is often crumbly and loose, so treat it with suspicion.

BGS record

Route sample Microgabbro North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite Around 354 m Seen on Ben Nevis

Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.

BGS record

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 darkBetaMostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-10-25. 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: 25 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.

A bright moon is up all through the dark hours, washing out fainter stars and meteors.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
25 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 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. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:10 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-full moon, about 100% illuminated.

Moonset around 26 Oct, 07:45 GMT.

Full darkness: 25 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 05:10 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 483 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.

Terrain at this viewpoint

Approximate terrain horizon at Ben Nevis. Trees, buildings and nearby obstacles are not included.

Approximate bare-earth horizon, not surveyed sightlines. Narrow ridges may fall between samples. Trees, buildings and very close obstacles are not resolved. Valid only at the named summit coordinate, not on its slopes or at a lower campsite.

Mapzen Terrain Tiles. Europe terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers. UK terrain: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. Global terrain: USGS and NOAA.

Contains Welsh Government public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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 Nevis on Sunday 25 October 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

Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis) weather forecast.

See the wind across Ben Nevis.

Choose your hill day.

The day on the hill

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Ben Nevis

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

Terrain at this viewpoint

The day on the hill

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Ben Nevis

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

Terrain at this viewpoint

The day on the hill

Things to watch

Snow and navigation

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Ben Nevis

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

Terrain at this viewpoint

The day on the hill

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Ben Nevis

Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples