The day on the hill
On Pendle Hill: summit wind broadly 10-20 mph, with gusts 15-25 mph at times (a moderate breeze).
Cloud & views
Cloud base around 1600–1900 m in the morning, lowering to 600–900 m around midday and 500–800 m by late afternoon. Cloud is likely to come and go across the top, with views in the clearer spells.
Cloud-height uncertainty could put the summit in or out of cloud. Clear spells may be difficult to time.
Cloud may hang lower on western slopes and lift somewhat on the eastern side, but local terrain can differ. Sunny spells are possible away from summit cloud, but may not reach the top while it is in cloud.
Drizzle is forecast at times. The forecast total is up to around 2 mm, but local amounts will vary.
Forecast confidence
Cloud height remains uncertain, especially where it is close to summit level. Cloud-height uncertainty could put the summit in or out of cloud, even where forecasts agree on the wider cloud cover.
Cloud-free timing: Around 95% early, falling to around 50% later.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 2.1 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
- 1.1 h
- Midday
- 0 h
- Later
- 0 h
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaCondensation risk is high near 300 and 600 m. 54/100Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full overnight outlook
Open-hillside camping looks mixed overall around 600 m (54/100). Light winds are expected on open ground, though local shelter and exposure still matter. A little rain may coincide with pitching or packing up. Pitches near 600 m may spend part of the night in cloud, bringing damp conditions and poor visibility while cloud is present. Condensation risk is high near 300 and 600 m. Ventilation will matter.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 78%
- Moonrise
- 17:37 BST
- Moonset
- 01:19 next morning BST
Cloud at the reference camping height may hide the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 21 Sep, 17:00 BST to 22 Sep, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 8 mph / 15 mph
- Typical / low
- 13.3°C / 13.0°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 9 mph / 18 mph
- Typical / low
- 13.4°C / 13.1°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 2-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 10°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaWet rock is likely. Poor40/100 View detailsHide details
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling look mixed (40/100). Rain during the climbing period is likely to leave rock wet and more slippery. The mapped summit rock is Gritstone (Pendle Grit Member). Usually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully. Representative samples along available mapped routes also include Mudstone, Interbedded sandstone and [subequal/subordinate] argillaceous rocks, so rock character and wet-weather behaviour may change across the mountain.
Typically rough and very grippy when dry. Damp gritstone can feel greasy, while seepage, polish and softer or saturated holds still need careful checking. Summit-point mapping plus representative BGS bedrock samples along available GPX routes. These are not continuous geological surveys; contacts, superficial deposits and the exposed rock on individual holds may differ.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Popular Pendle Hill
slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
3 rock types appear across the available route samples
The summit type remains the forecast's cautious rock-response reference. Other mapped types show where conditions may behave differently elsewhere on the mountain.
Typically rough and very grippy when dry. Damp gritstone can feel greasy, while seepage, polish and softer or saturated holds still need careful checking.
BGS recordOften positive when dry, but smooth, polished or slabby sections can become markedly more slippery when damp.
BGS recordUsually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully.
BGS recordGeneric exposed scrambling terrain; mapped summit-point bedrock is included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
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Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. This does not mean clear skies or no aurora.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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