The day on the hill
Strong gusts and frequent summit cloud on Conival: summit wind broadly 30-45 mph, with gusts 50-60 mph at times (gale-force mean winds at times).
Things to watch
Possible spate risk early in the day and into the afternoon, with recent and forecast rain and subsequent runoff. Timings are approximate, not a guarantee of safe crossings afterwards. Burns and unbridged crossings may rise quickly. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Wind & exposure
Much calmer lower down - generally 20-30 mph in the valley, rising towards the tops.
Cloud & views
Cloud base around 500–800 m through the morning, lifting to 800–1100 m by late afternoon. Summit cloud is likely, but brief clear spells remain possible if the cloud sits higher than expected.
Cloud-height uncertainty could put the summit in or out of cloud. Clear spells may be difficult to time.
Cloud may hang lower on western slopes and lift somewhat on the eastern side, but local terrain can differ. Any sunshine may be confined to lower ground or breaks away from the summit.
Drizzle is forecast at times. The forecast total is up to around 2 mm, but local amounts will vary.
Cold on exposed tops: air temperature broadly 2 to 6°C, feeling around -6 to -2°C in the wind.
Rain & temperature
The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives.
Forecast confidence
Cloud height remains uncertain, especially where it is close to summit level. Keep windproof and warm layers readily available.
Walking into the wind is likely to be arduous, with buffeting that can knock you off balance. Cloud-height uncertainty could put the summit in or out of cloud, even where forecasts agree on the wider cloud cover.
Cloud-free timing: Around 5% early, improving to around 25% later.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates Less than 1 hour of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Cloud may obscure this summit even while the surrounding model grid indicates sunshine. The low cloud-free summit estimate is a reason to be cautious about expecting views.
- Early
- 0 h
- Midday
- Less than 1 hour
- Later
- 0 h
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaExposed camping is not recommended near 900 m: gusts may reach about 45 mph. Sustained winds may reach about 35 mph at times. Lower sheltered ground may be less exposed, but this forecast does not confirm a suitable pitch or a safe approach. Check its overnight conditions separately. 39/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full overnight outlook
Exposed camping is not recommended near 900 m: gusts may reach about 45 mph. Sustained winds may reach about 35 mph at times. Lower sheltered ground may be less exposed, but this forecast does not confirm a suitable pitch or a safe approach. Check its overnight conditions separately. Open-hillside camping looks poor overall around 600 m (39/100). Peak gusts range from about 35 mph at 300 m to 45 mph at 900 m. Around 2.1 mm is forecast, including rain around pack-up. Pitches near 900 m may spend part of the night in cloud, bringing damp conditions and poor visibility while cloud is present. Condensation risk is high near 300, 600 and 900 m. Ventilation will matter. The coldest temperature falls from about 6.2°C at 300 m to 4.4°C at 900 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 70%
- Moonrise
- 18:04 BST
- Moonset
- 23:34 BST
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 20 Sep, 17:00 BST to 21 Sep, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 17 mph / 33 mph
- Typical / low
- 6.7°C / 6.2°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 21 mph / 40 mph
- Typical / low
- 6.7°C / 6.2°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 24 mph / 47 mph
- Typical / low
- 5.0°C / 4.4°C · several hours
- In cloud
- 87% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 4°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
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.
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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaWet rock is likely. Gusts near 55 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. Poor0/100 View detailsHide details
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling look very poor (0/100). Rain during the climbing period is likely to leave rock wet and more slippery. The mapped summit rock is Sandstone, mudstone, conglomerate and breccia (Diabaig Formation). Usually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully. Representative samples along available mapped routes also include Quartz-arenite, Dolomitic limestone and argillaceous rocks and 2 other mapped types, so rock character and wet-weather behaviour may change across the mountain. Gusts may reach about 55 mph. Crosswinds can make exposed ridges substantially more serious. Cloud may also make route-finding and retreat harder.
Usually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully. Summit-point mapping plus representative BGS bedrock samples along available GPX routes. These are not continuous geological surveys; contacts, superficial deposits and the exposed rock on individual holds may differ.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Conival and Ben More Assynt
sandstone or gritstone, limestone, volcanic rock
Geological detail and BGS records
5 rock types appear across the available route samples
The summit type remains the forecast's cautious rock-response reference. Other mapped types show where conditions may behave differently elsewhere on the mountain.
Usually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully.
BGS recordUsually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully.
BGS recordUsually positive where it is rough and dry, but polished limestone can become very slippery when wet and seepage may linger.
BGS recordOften grippy when dry, but volcanic rocks vary widely; wet lichen, smooth holds and local seepage can still make them slippery.
BGS recordTypically rough and very grippy when dry. Damp gritstone can feel greasy, while seepage, polish and softer or saturated holds still need careful checking.
BGS recordGeneric exposed scrambling terrain; mapped summit-point bedrock is included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
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Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. This does not mean clear skies or no aurora.
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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