Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis) Weather Forecast

Saturday 31 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather62Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate40% Cloud base through day600-1,700 m Freezing levelAbove summit Last observed cloud baseNot measurable 31 October 2026, 06:59 GMT Provisional estimate, above sea level. DaylightSunrise 07:26 · Sunset 16:39 · 9.2 hours daylight

The day on the hill

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

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 it will be more like 5–15 mph. A wind like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.

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 600–900 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 5am.

Rain and ground

Rain arrives mid-afternoon. Some forecast models keep it drier in the afternoon.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 2 to 6°C, feeling like -4 to 0°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 4:40pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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 1.2 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.

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

Early: 0 h
Midday: 1.2 h
Later: 0 h

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground.

63

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

61

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA reasonable night to camp, with a well-chosen pitch: gusts of about 30 mph. 64Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Saturday 31 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

A reasonable night to camp, with a well-chosen pitch. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the west. The wind swings from westerly to northwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect some light 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 cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain2.2 mm Open ground · 600 m14 mph · gusts 24 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 60%
Moonrise: 20:45 GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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: 31 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 1 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m64 · reasonable

Wind / gust: 12 mph / 20 mph
Typical / low: 5.1°C / 3.4°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m64 · reasonable

Wind / gust: 14 mph / 24 mph
Typical / low: 5.1°C / 3.4°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m51 · mixed

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 29 mph
Typical / low: 3.6°C / 2.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 73% of modelled night
Condensation: High

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor5 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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 mphRain1.6 mm

Main factorswet 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 2026-10-31. 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

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 1 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 31 Oct, 18:50 GMT to 20:40 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
31 Oct, 18:50 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
31 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
31 Oct, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
31 Oct, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
31 Oct, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
31 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 1 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
1 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
1 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
1 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
1 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
1 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
1 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:20 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 61% illuminated.

Moonrise around 31 Oct, 20:40 GMT.

Full darkness: 31 Oct, 18:50 GMT to 1 Nov, 05:20 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 31 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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Sunday 1 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather82Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph northwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate60% Cloud base through day700-1,700 m Freezing level1,000-1,300 m DaylightSunrise 07:28 · Sunset 16:37 · 9.2 hours daylight

The day on the hill

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

Wind

On the summit expect a north-westerly wind of 10–20 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 15–25 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.

Cloud and visibility

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 early in the morning. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views whenever the tops come out of the cloud.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level falls through the day, to around 1100–1400 m by mid-morning. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:35pm, 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. 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 2.9 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: 1.7 h
Later: 0 h

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 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.

82

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later.

82

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

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

Night beginning Sunday 1 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the north. It should stay dry. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m11 mph · gusts 22 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Last-quarter moon

Illuminated disc: 48%
Moonrise: 22:23 GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

Overnight window: 1 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 2 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 18 mph
Typical / low: 4.1°C / 3.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 11 mph / 22 mph
Typical / low: 4.1°C / 3.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 13 mph / 26 mph
Typical / low: 3.2°C / 2.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 7% 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 & scramblingBetaPoor conditions for exposed scrambling. Poor33 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be drying, but damp patches, shaded holds and drainage lines may still be wet. 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 surfaceDamp or dryingPeak gust15-25 mphRain0.0 mm

Main factorsdamp or incompletely dried rock possibleSub-zero temperatures and moisture may leave icy patches on exposed rock

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. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-01. 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

Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 1 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.

Mostly clear.

Moon-free dark sky: 1 Nov, 18:45 GMT to 22:20 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
1 Nov, 18:45 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
1 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 2 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
2 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:20 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Around half moon, about 49% illuminated.

Moonrise around 1 Nov, 22:20 GMT.

Full darkness: 1 Nov, 18:45 GMT to 2 Nov, 05:20 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 1 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Monday 2 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather80Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph northerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-12 to -8°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate55% Cloud base through day700-1,500 m Freezing level1,100-1,400 m DaylightSunrise 07:31 · Sunset 16:35 · 9.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

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

Wind

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

Cloud and visibility

Clear spells are possible, but cloud could cover the tops for part of the day. Forecast models differ on how much summit cloud develops. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-afternoon.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -6 to -2°C, feeling like -12 to -8°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:35pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 6.2 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 1 h
Midday: 4 h
Later: 0 h

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

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

80

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later.

80

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

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

Night beginning Monday 2 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. The air is damp below about 600 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 300 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m7 mph · gusts 13 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 37%
Moonrise: 23:57 GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

Overnight window: 2 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 3 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 4.6°C / 3.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 13 mph
Typical / low: 4.6°C / 3.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 15 mph
Typical / low: 4.2°C / 4.0°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 & scramblingBetaFair conditions for exposed scrambling. Good70 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Fair conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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 gust5-15 mphRain0.0 mm

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 darkBetaForecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-02. All times are UK local time.

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

Too quiet for a likely sighting from here. Activity peaks around Kp 2.7 (on a 0 to 9 scale). It would take about Kp 3.7 for a camera to pick up a glow low in the north, though that is not a hard line.

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

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 2 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.

Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.

Moon-free dark sky: 2 Nov, 18:45 GMT to 23:55 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
2 Nov, 18:45 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
2 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 3 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 38% illuminated.

Moonrise around 2 Nov, 23:55 GMT.

Full darkness: 2 Nov, 18:45 GMT to 3 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 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 Monday 2 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Tuesday 3 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather80Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-10 to -6°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate80% Cloud base through day900-1,500 m Freezing level1,100-1,400 m DaylightSunrise 07:33 · Sunset 16:32 · 9.0 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good 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 easterly, with gusts of 10–20 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 5 mph.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 900–1200 m mid-afternoon. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 700–1000 m. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 10am.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -10 to -6°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

Cloud heights are particularly hard to pin down today. It's still 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 1.1 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: Less than 1 hour
Later: 0 h

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

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

74

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Excellent Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later.

86

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

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

Night beginning Tuesday 3 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

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

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m8 mph · gusts 12 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 27%
Moonrise: 01:27 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

Overnight window: 3 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 4 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 10 mph
Typical / low: 5.0°C / 3.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 12 mph
Typical / low: 5.0°C / 3.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m54 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 14 mph
Typical / low: 3.7°C / 2.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 80% 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 & scramblingBetaMixed conditions for exposed scrambling. Mixed59 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Mixed conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. 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 surfaceProbably dryPeak gust10-20 mphRain0.0 mm

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 2026-11-03. All times are UK local time.

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 3 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 3 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 4 Nov, 01:30 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
3 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
3 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
3 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
3 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
3 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 4 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
4 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
4 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
4 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
4 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
4 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
4 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 27% illuminated.

Moonrise around 4 Nov, 01:30 GMT.

Full darkness: 3 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 4 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 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 3 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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Wednesday 4 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather66Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate35% Cloud base through day700-1,200 m Freezing level1,100-1,400 m DaylightSunrise 07:35 · Sunset 16:30 · 8.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

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

Wind

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

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 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. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 10am.

Rain and ground

Spells of drizzle, mostly in the early afternoon.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 7.4 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.

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

Early: 1.9 h
Midday: 4 h
Later: 0 h

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

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

66

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

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 damp air: dry, with light winds. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Wednesday 4 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. The air is damp up around 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m8 mph · gusts 12 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 18%
Moonrise: 02:53 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 10 mph
Typical / low: 4.1°C / 3.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 12 mph
Typical / low: 4.1°C / 3.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 14 mph
Typical / low: 2.9°C / 2.4°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: wet, slippery rock. Poor6 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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 gust10-20 mphRain0.3 mm

Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloudSub-zero temperatures and moisture may leave icy patches on exposed rock

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 darkBetaForecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

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

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 5 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT.

Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.

Moon-free dark sky: 4 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 5 Nov, 03:00 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
4 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
4 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 5 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
5 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 18% illuminated.

Moonrise around 5 Nov, 03:00 GMT.

Full darkness: 4 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 5 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 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 4 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Thursday 5 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather88Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-10 to -6°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate80% Cloud base through day700-1,500 m Freezing level1,100-1,400 m DaylightSunrise 07:37 · Sunset 16:28 · 8.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine 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 south-easterly, with gusts of 10–20 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 5 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Any early cloud on the tops should clear soon after dawn. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-afternoon. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 7am.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -10 to -6°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 2 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: 0.9 h
Later: 0 h

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

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

82

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Excellent Summit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground.

95

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

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

Night beginning Thursday 5 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

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

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m9 mph · gusts 15 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 11%
Moonrise: 04:17 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 12 mph
Typical / low: 3.4°C / 3.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 15 mph
Typical / low: 3.4°C / 3.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m54 · mixed

Wind / gust: 11 mph / 17 mph
Typical / low: 2.0°C / 1.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 100% of modelled night
Condensation: High

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. Good83 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. 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 gust10-20 mphRain0.0 mm

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

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

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

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 5 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 5 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 6 Nov, 04:30 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
5 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 6 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
6 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:30 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 10% illuminated.

Moonrise around 6 Nov, 04:30 GMT.

Full darkness: 5 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 6 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 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 5 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Friday 6 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather80Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-20 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate50% Cloud base through day600-1,100 m Freezing level1,000-1,300 m DaylightSunrise 07:39 · Sunset 16:26 · 8.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

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

Wind

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

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by midday. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m around midday. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 6am. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views whenever the tops come out of the cloud.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

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

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

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground.

66

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Excellent 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.

93

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

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

Night beginning Friday 6 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 7 mph. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about -2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m4 mph · gusts 6 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 5%
Moonrise: 05:42 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 3 mph / 5 mph
Typical / low: 1.3°C / 1.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 4 mph / 6 mph
Typical / low: 1.3°C / 1.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m54 · mixed

Wind / gust: 4 mph / 7 mph
Typical / low: 1.2°C / 0.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 100% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about -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 & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. Good84 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Good conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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 gust15-25 mphRain0.0 mm

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. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-06. 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: 6 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

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

Sky conditions through the night

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

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 5% illuminated.

Moonrise around 7 Nov, 05:55 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 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 6 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Saturday 7 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather98Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-10 mph southerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate80% Cloud base through day800-1,800 m Freezing level1,000-1,300 m DaylightSunrise 07:42 · Sunset 16:24 · 8.7 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine 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 10 mph, mainly southerly, with gusts of 5–15 mph at the windiest.

Cloud and visibility

The tops should stay mostly clear of cloud. The cloud base could be as low as 800–1100 m around midday. It will look largely cloudy overhead, but that cloud should mostly stay above the tops.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. The freezing level is around 1100–1400 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 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: 0 h
Midday: 2.4 h
Later: 0 h

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Excellent Summit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground.

100

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

95

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

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

Night beginning Saturday 7 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 11 mph. It should stay dry. The air is damp around 300 m and 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m5 mph · gusts 10 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 4 mph / 8 mph
Typical / low: 2.0°C / 2.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 5 mph / 10 mph
Typical / low: 2.0°C / 2.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 5 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 1.4°C / 1.2°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 & scramblingBetaExcellent conditions for exposed scrambling. Excellent92 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Excellent conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. 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 gust5-15 mphRain0.0 mm

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 darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

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

Open the questions to take part.

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

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

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

Stargazing