Cairnsmore of Carsphairn Summit Weather Forecast

Tuesday 10 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather90Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:39 · Sunset 16:21 · 8.7 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine day on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn: 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.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to stay mostly clear of cloud, though brief patches cannot be ruled out.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°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

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

Forecast confidence

Cloud height is hard to pin down, so the summit could be in or out of cloud at short notice. 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 3.3 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: 2.6 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 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground.

90

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

90

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

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

Night beginning Tuesday 10 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. Overnight lows of about 3°C at 600 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 17 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 9 mph / 14 mph
Typical / low: 4.1°C / 4.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 11 mph / 17 mph
Typical / low: 3.5°C / 3.4°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

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. Excellent95 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 granite, 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. 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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

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

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

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Aurora is unlikely on this night

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

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

Stargazing

Good sky conditions during the best available spell: 10 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 11 Nov, 00:00 GMT.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 10 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 11 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
10 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
10 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
10 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
10 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
10 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 11 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
11 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
11 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.
11 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
11 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.
11 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.
11 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:35 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 3% illuminated.

Full darkness: 10 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 11 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open the questions to take part.

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

Wednesday 11 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather98Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-10 mph northerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Freezing level700-1,000 m DaylightSunrise 07:41 · Sunset 16:19 · 8.7 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine day on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn: 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 northerly, with gusts of 5–15 mph at the windiest.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to stay mostly clear of cloud, though brief patches cannot be ruled out. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

Cloud 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.

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 7 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: 1.8 h
Midday: 3.8 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.

99

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

97

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

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

Night beginning Wednesday 11 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A poor night to camp on open ground. 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 frost at every height we checked (300-600 m), down to about -2°C. A 4-season bag rated to about -6°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m15 mph · gusts 27 mph Morning pack-upNo wet signal Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -6°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 12 mph / 22 mph
Typical / low: 1.5°C / -1.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 15 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 0.8°C / -2.4°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 4-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about -6°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. Excellent90 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 granite, 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. 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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

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

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

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

Stargazing

Good sky conditions during the best available spell: 12 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.

Mostly clear.

Moon-free dark sky: 11 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 12 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
11 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Mostly clear.
11 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks. Forecast models disagree.
11 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.
11 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.
11 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.
11 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 12 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
12 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
12 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
12 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
12 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Mostly clear. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
12 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Mostly clear.
12 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:35 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 7% illuminated.

Full darkness: 11 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 12 Nov, 05:35 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is about Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on Wednesday 11 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 12 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather76Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-30 mph northerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0030-40 mph Feels like-14 to -10°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Freezing level100-400 m DaylightSunrise 07:43 · Sunset 16:17 · 8.6 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, though expect a bitter wind chill.

Wind

On the summit expect a northerly wind of 15–30 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 30–40 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to stay mostly clear of cloud, though brief patches cannot be ruled out. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -6 to -2°C, feeling like -14 to -10°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. The freezing level is around 200–500 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Hat, gloves and a warm insulated layer are essential, with extra warmth for stops.

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

There is some disagreement between forecast models on wind strength. It's still two days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 8 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 2 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 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground.

76

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 30-40 mph are possible on exposed ground.

75

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA poor night to camp on open ground: a frost, down to 0°C. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Thursday 12 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the north. It should stay dry. A frost at every height we checked (300-600 m), down to about 0°C. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about -4°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m20 mph · gusts 31 mph Morning pack-upNo wet signal Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -4°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 13%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 17:25 GMT

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

Overnight window: 12 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 13 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: 17 mph / 26 mph
Typical / low: 0.4°C / 0.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 20 mph / 31 mph
Typical / low: 0.1°C / -0.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaFair conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 30–40 mph. Mixed69 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. Gusts of 30–40 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly granite, 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. 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 gust30-40 mphRain0.0 mm

Main concerngusts of 30–40 mph

Representative rock around the summit Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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 2026-11-12. All times are UK local time.

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Too quiet for a likely sighting from here. Activity peaks around Kp 2.0 (on a 0 to 9 scale). It would take about Kp 4.7 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

Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 13 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT.

Mostly clear.

Moon-free dark sky: 12 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 13 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
12 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
12 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
12 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
12 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.
12 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
12 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 13 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
13 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
13 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
13 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
13 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
13 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.
13 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:40 GMT	Very good sky conditions Mostly clear.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 13% illuminated.

Moonset around 12 Nov, 17:15 GMT.

Full darkness: 12 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 13 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is about Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on Thursday 12 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 13 November 2026Confidence: Low

Overall hill weather88Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph northwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-10 to -6°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate85% Freezing level500-800 m DaylightSunrise 07:45 · Sunset 16:16 · 8.5 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine day on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn: breezy, with clear tops for most of the day, though expect sleet or snow on the tops.

Snow and navigation

Sleet or snow is possible on the tops in the afternoon, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 900 to 1000 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain.

Wind

On the summit expect a north-westerly wind of 10–25 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph. 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 stay mostly clear of cloud, though brief patches cannot be ruled out. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.

Rain and ground

Sleet is possible on the tops, and it could turn to snow if it is a little colder. Dry through the daylight hours, but rain arrives after dark. Expect up to 2 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Some forecast models keep it drier later on.

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. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

The forecast models disagree on how strong the wind will be, so it could be noticeably stronger than this. 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 8 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 2 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 Excellent Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground.

89

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Excellent Summit winds around 10-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

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 the rain: about 4 mm of rain. 45Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Friday 13 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the west. Expect about 4 mm of rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. Up around 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 600 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 rain4.3 mm Open ground · 600 m19 mph · gusts 27 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 20%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 18:29 GMT

Cloud at the reference camping height may hide the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 13 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 14 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m51 · mixed

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 22 mph
Typical / low: 2.8°C / 2.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m45 · mixed

Wind / gust: 19 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 2.6°C / 2.0°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.

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

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly granite, 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. 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 mphRain1.3 mm

Main factorswet rock likelySub-zero temperatures and moisture may leave icy patches on exposed rock

Representative rock around the summit Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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 2026-11-13. All times are UK local time.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 14 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 13 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 14 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
13 Nov, 18:25 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.
13 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
13 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
13 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
13 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
13 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 14 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
14 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.
14 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
14 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
14 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
14 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
14 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:40 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 20% illuminated.

Moonset around 13 Nov, 18:20 GMT.

Full darkness: 13 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 14 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is about Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on Friday 13 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 14 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather66Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-30 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0035-45 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Freezing level700-1,000 m DaylightSunrise 07:47 · Sunset 16:14 · 8.4 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, with a blustery wind.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of 15–30 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 35–45 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 45–55 mph.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to stay mostly clear of cloud, though brief patches cannot be ruled out. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -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 8 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:15pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

There is some disagreement between forecast models on wind strength. 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.

Early: 1.7 h
Midday: 3.8 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 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground.

74

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 15-25 mph in the early afternoon, strengthening to 25-35 mph later. Gusts around 35-45 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.

57

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch up around 600 m (gusts of about 40 mph and around 11 mm of rain). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Saturday 14 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

Too windy for an exposed pitch up around 600 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 40 mph on open ground, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Pitch low down and in real shelter, or leave it for another night. Expect a wet night, around 11 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Up around 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 600 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 rain10.6 mm Open ground · 600 m29 mph · gusts 40 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 27%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 19:42 GMT

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

Overnight window: 14 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 15 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 24 mph / 33 mph
Typical / low: 5.8°C / 4.1°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 29 mph / 40 mph
Typical / low: 5.2°C / 3.7°C · several hours
In cloud: 47% of modelled night
Condensation: High

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaPoor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 35–45 mph. Poor39 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. Gusts of 35–45 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly granite, 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. 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 gust35-45 mphRain0.4 mm

Main factorsgusts of 35–45 mphdamp or incompletely dried rock possible

Representative rock around the summit Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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

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

Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaMostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-14. 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: 14 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.

Moon-free dark sky: 14 Nov, 19:35 GMT to 15 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
14 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
14 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
14 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
14 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
14 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
14 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 15 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:40 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 28% illuminated.

Moonset around 14 Nov, 19:35 GMT.

Full darkness: 14 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 15 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is about Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on Saturday 14 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Sunday 15 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather6Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0025-40 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0040-50 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate25% Cloud base through day400-1,000 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:49 · Sunset 16:12 · 8.4 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, with burns likely to be in spate and strong, gusty winds.

Things to watch

Burns and rivers are likely to be in spate through the day and overnight, so unbridged crossings could be difficult or impossible. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of 25–40 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 40–50 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 65–75 mph. It gets windier still after dark, with summit gusts of 55–65 mph, so bear that in mind if you will be out late.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m mid-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. Any sunshine is more likely on lower ground than on the summit.

Rain and ground

Rain for much of the day. Expect 10–20 mm in total. Some forecast models keep it drier in the morning.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 4 to 8°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. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

A short day, with only about 8 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:10pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 7.3 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

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: 1.3 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 Poor Summit winds around 25-35 mph. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the morning, while others keep it mostly dry.

11

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

1

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

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill: gusts of about 55 mph and around 11 mm of rain. 9Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Sunday 15 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 55 mph on open ground, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Don't count on finding shelter once you're up there. Choose another night or a low, sheltered spot. The wind swings from southwesterly to northwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect a wet night, around 11 mm of rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. Up around 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 300 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 rain11.4 mm Open ground · 600 m28 mph · gusts 53 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 36%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 21:00 GMT

Cloud at the reference camping height may hide the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 15 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 16 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 23 mph / 44 mph
Typical / low: 9.1°C / 1.4°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 28 mph / 53 mph
Typical / low: 3.8°C / 1.4°C · several hours
In cloud: 53% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about -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.

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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 40–50 mph. Poor0 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 40–50 mph are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly granite, 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. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust40-50 mphRain20.7 mm

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

Representative rock around the summit Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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

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

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

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-11-15. 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: 16 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.

Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.

Moon-free dark sky: 15 Nov, 20:55 GMT to 16 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
15 Nov, 18:20 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.
15 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
15 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 16 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
16 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:40 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Limited model coverage.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 36% illuminated.

Moonset around 15 Nov, 20:55 GMT.

Full darkness: 15 Nov, 18:20 GMT to 16 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is about Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on Sunday 15 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 16 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather94Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-20 mph westerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate55% Freezing level600-900 m DaylightSunrise 07:51 · Sunset 16:11 · 8.3 hours daylight

The day on the hill

Dry, with light winds on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. Cloud could cover the tops and limit the views.

Wind

On the summit expect a westerly wind of 5–20 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

Clear spells are possible, but cloud could cover the tops for part of the day. Forecast models differ on how much summit cloud develops.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry. Some forecast models bring rain, so don't count on it staying dry. The ground is very wet after recent rain, so expect boggy paths.

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 8 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:10pm, 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 8 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: 2 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 Excellent Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground.

94

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 poor night to camp on open ground: about 8 mm of rain. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Monday 16 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the southwest. The wind swings from southwesterly to southeasterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Dry to pitch, then about 8 mm of rain overnight and into the morning, so expect to pack a wet tent. A cold night, down to about 0°C around 600 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. The ground will be sodden after recent rain, so pick a firm, well-drained pitch.

Overnight rain7.8 mm Open ground · 600 m12 mph · gusts 27 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -2°C or lower

Moon overnight

First-quarter moon

Illuminated disc: 46%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 22:18 GMT

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

Overnight window: 16 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 17 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m47 · mixed

Wind / gust: 10 mph / 23 mph
Typical / low: 1.4°C / 1.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 12 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 1.4°C / 0.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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

The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.

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. Poor31 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. After recent rain the rock may still be wet in places, especially shaded holds and drainage lines. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. The rock around the summit is mostly granite, 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. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceDry overhead; seepage uncertainPeak 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

3 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 Microgranite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

Summit-area sample Granodiorite Cairnsmore Of Carsphairn Pluton

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

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 2026-11-16. 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: 16 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 16 Nov, 22:20 GMT to 17 Nov, 05:45 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
16 Nov, 18:20 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
16 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 17 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Limited model coverage.
17 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
17 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
17 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
17 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
17 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
17 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:45 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Around half moon, about 46% illuminated.

Moonset around 16 Nov, 22:20 GMT.

Full darkness: 16 Nov, 18:20 GMT to 17 Nov, 05:45 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
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 757 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on Monday 16 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

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Cairnsmore of Carsphairn weather forecast.

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

3 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

3 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

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

3 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Snow and navigation

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

3 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

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

3 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora outlook

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings