Great Rigg Weather Forecast – 766m, Lake District

Wednesday 4 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather58Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-30 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0030-40 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate30% Cloud base through day700-1,000 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:19 · Sunset 16:30 · 9.2 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Great Rigg, with cloud coming and going on the summit.

Wind

On the summit expect an easterly wind of 10–30 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

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base sits close to summit height, so the top could go in and out of cloud at short notice. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

A band of rain crosses in the early afternoon, clearing by mid-afternoon.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:30pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 1.7 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.

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

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 10-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

70

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor Summit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 30-40 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

46

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

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

Night beginning Wednesday 4 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the east. Dry to pitch, then a little rain overnight, easing by morning, though the tent may still be wet. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-600 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 300 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.4 mm Open ground · 600 m22 mph · gusts 32 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 18%
Moonrise: 02:45 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 18 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 4.2°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 22 mph / 32 mph
Typical / low: 4.2°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaMixed conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 30–40 mph. Mixed52 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Mixed conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be drying, but damp patches, shaded holds and drainage lines may still be wet. Gusts of 30–40 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. 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 gust30-40 mphRain0.3 mm

Main factorsgusts of 30–40 mphdamp or incompletely dried rock possiblemuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

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 2026-11-04. 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 3.7 (on a 0 to 9 scale).

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

Stargazing

Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 4 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly clear.

Moon-free dark sky: 4 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 5 Nov, 02:50 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

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

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 18% illuminated.

Moonrise around 5 Nov, 02:50 GMT.

Full darkness: 4 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 5 Nov, 05:20 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Wednesday 4 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Thursday 5 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather52Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-30 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0035-45 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate45% Cloud base through day600-900 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:21 · Sunset 16:29 · 9.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Great Rigg, with a blustery wind and cloud coming and going on the summit.

Wind

On the summit expect an easterly 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.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit around midday. A few forecast models bring the cloud base down to around 600–900 m at times. The cloud base sits close to summit height, so the top could go in and out of cloud at short notice.

Rain and ground

Rain arrives mid-afternoon.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:30pm, 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. Some of the detail could still change, so have a last look at the forecast in the morning before you set off.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

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

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

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

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Poor Summit winds around 15-30 mph. Gusts around 35-45 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

48

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed Summit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 30-40 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is forecast during this period.

55

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: gusts of about 35 mph. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Thursday 5 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 35 mph on open ground, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Look for shelter from the east. It should stay dry. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-600 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 300 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m22 mph · gusts 36 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 11%
Moonrise: 04:06 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 18 mph / 30 mph
Typical / low: 4.6°C / 4.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 22 mph / 36 mph
Typical / low: 4.6°C / 4.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% 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 2°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaPoor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 35–45 mph. Poor21 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 35–45 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. 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 gust35-45 mphRain0.3 mm

Main factorsgusts of 35–45 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

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

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

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

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Too quiet for a likely sighting from here. Activity peaks around Kp 2.7 (on a 0 to 9 scale). It would take about Kp 5.0 for a camera to pick up a glow low in the north, though that is not a hard line.

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

Stargazing

Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 6 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 5 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 6 Nov, 04:15 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
5 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
5 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 6 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:20 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Crescent moon, about 10% illuminated.

Moonrise around 6 Nov, 04:15 GMT.

Full darkness: 5 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 6 Nov, 05:20 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Thursday 5 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Friday 6 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather78Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-20 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate60% Cloud base through day600-1,100 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:23 · Sunset 16:27 · 9.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Great Rigg: dry, with light winds.

Wind

On the summit expect an easterly 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 5 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by midday. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m early in the morning.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:25pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 2 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

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

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

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

66

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

91

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

Night beginning Friday 6 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. Overnight lows of about 5°C at 300 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m7 mph · gusts 14 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 5%
Moonrise: 05:26 next morning GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

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

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

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 4.9°C / 4.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 14 mph
Typical / low: 4.9°C / 4.8°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. 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. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust15-25 mphRain0.0 mm

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

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

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

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

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

Aurora 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

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 6 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 6 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 7 Nov, 05:20 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

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

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 5% illuminated.

Moonrise around 7 Nov, 05:40 GMT.

Full darkness: 6 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 7 Nov, 05:20 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Friday 6 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Saturday 7 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather82Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph Feels like-2 to 2°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:25 · Sunset 16:25 · 9.0 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Great Rigg: dry, with light winds and clear tops for most of the day.

Wind

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

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to 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 2 to 6°C, feeling like -2 to 2°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:25pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

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

Early: 2 h
Midday: 3.6 h
Later: 0 h

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

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

77

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

87

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 Saturday 7 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 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 rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m8 mph · gusts 13 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 4.8°C / 4.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 8 mph / 13 mph
Typical / low: 4.5°C / 3.8°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 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. Good84 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Good conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. 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 mphRainPossible · 20%

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

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

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 8 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

Moon-free dark sky: 7 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 8 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
7 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
7 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 8 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
8 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
8 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
8 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
8 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
8 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
8 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 2% illuminated.

Moonrise around 8 Nov, 07:00 GMT.

Full darkness: 7 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 8 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Saturday 7 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Sunday 8 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather74Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-10 mph northeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-2 to 2°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate55% Cloud base through day500-1,200 m Freezing level700-1,000 m DaylightSunrise 07:27 · Sunset 16:23 · 8.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Great Rigg: dry, with light winds.

Wind

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

Cloud and visibility

The tops start clear, but the cloud comes down onto them mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 500–800 m mid-afternoon. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys during the morning, clearing by about 10am. It looks hazy, so views may be limited even when the tops are clear.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

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

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

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later.

76

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

73

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 Sunday 8 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 6 mph. It should stay dry. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 600 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m3 mph · gusts 6 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 3 mph / 5 mph
Typical / low: 4.7°C / 4.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 3 mph / 6 mph
Typical / low: 4.3°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. Excellent86 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Good conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust5-15 mphRain0.0 mm

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

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

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

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

Stargazing

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

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

Moon-free dark sky: 8 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 9 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
8 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
8 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
8 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
8 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
8 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
8 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 9 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
9 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 0% illuminated.

Full darkness: 8 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 9 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Sunday 8 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Monday 9 November 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather86Excellent

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-10 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:005-15 mph Feels like-2 to 2°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate90% Cloud base through day900-1,200 m Freezing level700-1,000 m DaylightSunrise 07:29 · Sunset 16:21 · 8.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A fine day on Great Rigg: 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 easterly, 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.

Rain and ground

It should stay dry.

Warmth and kit

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

Daylight

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

Forecast confidence

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 2.8 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

Early: Less than 1 hour
Midday: 1.6 h
Later: 0 h

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

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

78

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

93

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

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

Night beginning Monday 9 November 2026

Full overnight outlook

A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 11 mph. It should stay dry. A cold night, down to about 3°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 rain0.0 mm Open ground · 600 m7 mph · gusts 11 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 0°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 6 mph / 10 mph
Typical / low: 3.9°C / 3.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 7 mph / 11 mph
Typical / low: 3.4°C / 2.7°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 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGood conditions for exposed scrambling. Excellent86 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 volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceProbably dryPeak gust5-15 mphRain0.0 mm

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

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 2026-11-09. 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: 9 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

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

Moon-free dark sky: 9 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 10 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
9 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Good sky conditions Mostly clear.
9 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
9 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Mixed sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
9 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.
9 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
9 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 10 Nov, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
10 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
10 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Near-new moon, about 1% illuminated.

Full darkness: 9 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 10 Nov, 05:25 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Monday 9 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Tuesday 10 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather68Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-25 mph southeasterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0025-35 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationLittle or none Cloud-free summit estimate55% Cloud base through day400-700 m Freezing level600-900 m DaylightSunrise 07:31 · Sunset 16:19 · 8.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Great Rigg: dry and breezy.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-easterly wind of around 5–15 mph first thing, rising to 15–25 mph by early afternoon, with gusts of 25–35 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by midday. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m around midday. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 7am. The tops should be above it in clearer air. It looks hazy, so views may be limited even when the tops are clear.

Rain and ground

Dry through the daylight hours, but rain arrives after dark. Some forecast models bring rain, so don't count on it staying dry.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. The freezing level is 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

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 1.1 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.

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

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

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Mixed Summit winds around 0-10 mph early in the morning, strengthening to 10-20 mph later. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground.

64

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Winds strengthen compared with the morning. Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.

72

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: around 11 mm of rain. 49Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Tuesday 10 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 southeast. Expect a wet night, around 11 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 300 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain11.2 mm Open ground · 600 m15 mph · gusts 27 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m49 · mixed

Wind / gust: 13 mph / 23 mph
Typical / low: 4.6°C / 4.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m49 · mixed

Wind / gust: 15 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low: 4.6°C / 4.3°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaFair conditions for exposed scrambling. Mixed61 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Fair conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be drying, but damp patches, shaded holds and drainage lines may still be wet. Gusts of 25–35 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. 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 gust25-35 mphRain0.6 mm

Main concerndamp or incompletely dried rock possible

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

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

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

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

Stargazing

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

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

Moon-free dark sky: 10 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 11 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

Sky conditions through the night

Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time	Viewing conditions
10 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Limited model coverage.
10 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Limited model coverage.
10 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Limited model coverage.
10 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. Limited model coverage.
10 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. Limited model coverage.
10 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 11 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. Limited model coverage.
11 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.
11 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.
11 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.
11 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.
11 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.
11 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:30 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

Near-new moon, about 3% illuminated.

Full darkness: 10 Nov, 18:25 GMT to 11 Nov, 05:30 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darkness of the surroundings

Estimated darkness rank 589 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 Great Rigg on Tuesday 10 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

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

Wednesday 11 November 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather50Mixed

Summit wind · 08:00-17:000-15 mph easterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph Feels like0 to 4°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate35% Cloud base through day600-900 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:33 · Sunset 16:17 · 8.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A mixed day on Great Rigg, with burns likely to be in spate and rain for much of the day.

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 light winds of up to 15 mph, mainly easterly, with gusts of 15–25 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph. It gets windier still after dark, with summit gusts of 20–30 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 600–900 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. Visibility may drop briefly in showers.

Rain and ground

Rain for much of the day, becoming heavier later. Expect 10–20 mm in total.

Warmth and kit

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

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

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

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

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

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

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

50

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Mixed More rain is expected. Summit winds around 0-10 mph in the early afternoon, strengthening to 5-15 mph later. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

50

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: gusts of about 35 mph and around 13 mm of rain. 34Poor · 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 35 mph on open ground, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Look for shelter from the northeast. Expect a wet night, around 13 mm of rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. 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 rain13.0 mm Open ground · 600 m23 mph · gusts 36 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about -4°C or lower

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 20 mph / 30 mph
Typical / low: 2.3°C / -0.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m34 · poor

Wind / gust: 23 mph / 36 mph
Typical / low: 2.3°C / -0.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% 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 -4°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.

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

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

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaMixed conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor47 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Mixed conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross andesite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust15-25 mphRain13.5 mm

Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Representative rock around the summit and along available routes Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Origin: Igneous
Broad rock-response group: Volcanic rock
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Volcanic rock in 82% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Rock-response profile: Low confidence

View the summit BGS record

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.

Rock groups along the sampled routes

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

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

5 rock types appear in the mapped samples

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

Summit-area sample Dacitic lapilli-tuff Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic rock Deepdale Sandstone Formation 767–871 m samples Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Andesite Borrowdale Sill Suite Around 462 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

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

BGS record

Summit-area sample Volcaniclastic-mudstone Esk Pike Sandstone Formation Around 668 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

Route sample Volcaniclastic sandstone and breccia Seathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation Around 556 m Seen on Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.

BGS record

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

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

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

After dark: aurora and stargazing

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is about Great Rigg 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

Great Rigg 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

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

5 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

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

5 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

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

5 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

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Wainwright Fairfield Horseshoe

5 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