Compare 8 days, then read the outlook for your visit. Scores start at 100 and can fall below zero in severe weather. How we score a hill day.
Select a day to replace the detailed forecast below. 8 forecast days are available here.
Confidence: Medium
Overall hill weather58Mixed
Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph northeasterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0015-25 mphFeels like-2 to 2°CPrecipitationUp to around 2 mmCloud-free summit estimate30%Cloud base through day700-1,000 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:14 · Sunset 16:37 · 9.4 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A mixed day on Scafell Pike, with cloud coming and going on the summit.
Wind
On the summit expect light winds of up to 15 mph, mainly north-easterly, with gusts of 15–25 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.
Cloud and visibility
Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys during the morning, clearing by about 8am.
Rain and ground
Drizzle at first, clearing by mid-afternoon.
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 above the summits. Take a warm layer and a hat for the top.
Daylight
Sunset is around 4:35pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
Cloud height is hard to pin down, so the summit could be in or out of cloud at short notice. 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 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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
MixedSummit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
58
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
MixedSummit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
57
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 35 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Sunday 1 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 35 mph around 900 m and nearer 25 mph around 300 m, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the north. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp around 300 m and 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Clear spells may allow a view of the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 1 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 2 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
13 mph / 23 mph
Typical / low
3.7°C / 2.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
15 mph / 28 mph
Typical / low
3.7°C / 2.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Moderate
900 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
18 mph / 33 mph
Typical / low
2.2°C / 1.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
27% 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.
Poor 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. 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 mphRain0.6 mm
Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Night beginning 2026-11-01. 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). NOAA has a G1 storm watch out for this date, though the timing of the strongest activity can shift.
Activity can change at short notice. Check again on the night.
Stargazing
Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 1 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.
Mostly clear.
Moon-free dark sky: 1 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 22:25 GMT.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
1 Nov, 18:40 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.
1 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
1 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
1 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 2 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
2 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
2 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
2 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
2 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
2 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
2 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:15 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Around half moon, about 49% illuminated.
Moonrise around 1 Nov, 22:25 GMT.
Full darkness: 1 Nov, 18:40 GMT to 2 Nov, 05:15 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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Sunday 1 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-30 mph northeasterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0025-35 mphFeels like-6 to -2°CPrecipitationLittle or noneCloud-free summit estimate90%Cloud base through day1,000-1,300 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:16 · Sunset 16:35 · 9.3 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A good day on Scafell Pike: dry and breezy, with clear tops for most of the day.
Wind
On the summit expect a north-easterly wind of 15–30 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 25–35 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay mostly clear of cloud. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m early in the morning. Good spells of sunshine are likely. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.
Rain and ground
It should stay dry.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°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 4:35pm, 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 7.7 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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
GoodSummit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground.
77
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
ExcellentSummit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 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 wind: gusts of about 35 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Monday 2 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 35 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the northeast. Dry to pitch, then a little rain overnight, easing by morning, though the tent may still be wet. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 3°C around 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 2 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 3 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
15 mph / 24 mph
Typical / low
4.5°C / 4.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
18 mph / 28 mph
Typical / low
4.5°C / 4.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
900 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
22 mph / 33 mph
Typical / low
3.4°C / 2.6°C · much of the night
In cloud
87% of modelled night
Condensation
High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 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.
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: gusts of 25–35 mph.Excellent86View 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. Gusts of 25–35 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. 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 gust25-35 mphRain0.0 mm
Main concerngusts of 25–35 mph
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Night beginning 2026-11-02. All times are UK local time.
Aurora is unlikely on this night
Too quiet for a likely sighting from here. Activity peaks around Kp 2.0 (on a 0 to 9 scale). It would take about Kp 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
Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 2 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.
Mostly clear.
Moon-free dark sky: 2 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 23:55 GMT.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
2 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 19:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
2 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
2 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
2 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
2 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.
2 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 3 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
3 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
3 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
3 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
3 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
3 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.
3 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:15 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 38% illuminated.
Moonrise around 2 Nov, 23:55 GMT.
Full darkness: 2 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 3 Nov, 05:15 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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Monday 2 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph easterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mphFeels like-6 to -2°CPrecipitationLittle or noneCloud-free summit estimate80%Cloud base through day700-1,700 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:18 · Sunset 16:33 · 9.3 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A good day on Scafell Pike: dry, with light winds and clear tops for most of the day.
Wind
On the summit expect an easterly wind of 10–25 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m early in the morning. Good spells of sunshine are likely.
Rain and ground
It should stay dry.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°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 4:35pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
There is some disagreement between forecast models on wind strength. It's still two days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 5.7 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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
MixedSummit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.
69
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
GoodSummit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground.
78
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: gusts of about 25 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Tuesday 3 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the east. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 3°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 3 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 4 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
12 mph / 19 mph
Typical / low
4.0°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
15 mph / 22 mph
Typical / low
4.0°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
900 m54 · mixed
Wind / gust
17 mph / 26 mph
Typical / low
3.1°C / 2.6°C · much of the night
In cloud
60% 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.
Good conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. 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 gust20-30 mphRain0.0 mm
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Night beginning 2026-11-03. All times are UK local time.
Aurora is unlikely on this night
Too quiet for a likely sighting from here. Activity peaks around Kp 1.7 (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
Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 3 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.
Mostly clear.
Moon-free dark sky: 3 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 4 Nov, 01:25 GMT.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
3 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 19:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
3 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
3 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
3 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
3 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
3 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 4 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.
Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.
Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
4 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
4 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.
Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.
Forecast models disagree.
4 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:20 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.
Forecast models disagree.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Crescent moon, about 27% illuminated.
Moonrise around 4 Nov, 01:25 GMT.
Full darkness: 3 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 4 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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Tuesday 3 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-25 mph easterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mphFeels like-8 to -4°CPrecipitationUp to around 2 mmCloud-free summit estimate35%Cloud base through day700-1,400 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:20 · Sunset 16:31 · 9.2 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A mixed day on Scafell Pike, with cloud coming and going on the summit.
Wind
On the summit expect an easterly wind of 10–25 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph. A wind like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Cloud and visibility
Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 10am.
Rain and ground
Spells of drizzle, mostly mid-morning.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.
Daylight
Sunset is around 4:30pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
Cloud heights are particularly hard to pin down today. It's still three days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 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.
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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
MixedSummit winds around 10-25 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
52
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
MixedSummit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast during this period.
68
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 35 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Wednesday 4 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 35 mph around 900 m and nearer 25 mph around 300 m, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the east. It should stay dry. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 3°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Views of the Moon may come and go through cloud breaks. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 4 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 5 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
16 mph / 24 mph
Typical / low
4.2°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
19 mph / 29 mph
Typical / low
4.2°C / 3.9°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
900 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
22 mph / 34 mph
Typical / low
3.2°C / 2.9°C · much of the night
In cloud
73% of modelled night
Condensation
High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust20-30 mphRain0.6 mm
Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Night beginning 2026-11-04. All times are UK local time.
Stargazing
Very good sky conditions during the best available spell: 4 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.
Mostly clear.
Moon-free dark sky: 4 Nov, 18:35 GMT to 5 Nov, 02:55 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
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
4 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
4 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 5 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Very good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
5 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
5 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
5 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Mixed 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
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
5 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 18% illuminated.
Moonrise around 5 Nov, 02:55 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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Wednesday 4 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-25 mph easterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0025-35 mphFeels like-6 to -2°CPrecipitationUp to around 2 mmCloud-free summit estimate30%Cloud base through day700-1,000 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:21 · Sunset 16:29 · 9.1 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A poor day on the tops of Scafell Pike, with cloud coming and going on the summit.
Wind
On the summit expect an easterly wind of 15–25 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 25–35 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 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 could be as low as 600–900 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Any sunshine is more likely on lower ground than on the summit.
Rain and ground
Drizzle sets in mid-morning.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°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. 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 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.
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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
PoorSummit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
45
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
MixedSummit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
53
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: gusts of about 30 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Thursday 5 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the east. Expect a little rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
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
14 mph / 21 mph
Typical / low
4.2°C / 3.8°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
17 mph / 24 mph
Typical / low
4.2°C / 3.8°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
900 m52 · mixed
Wind / gust
19 mph / 28 mph
Typical / low
2.8°C / 2.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
100% of modelled night
Condensation
High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
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 25–35 mph.Poor25View 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 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. 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 gust25-35 mphRain0.7 mm
Main factorsgusts of 25–35 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-11-05. All times are UK local time.
Aurora outlook
Nothing notable expected.
A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.
Stargazing
Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 6 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 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
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
5 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
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. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
5 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 6 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
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
Poor 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
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
6 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
6 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
6 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:20 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Thursday 5 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph easterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mphFeels like-6 to -2°CPrecipitationUp to around 2 mmCloud-free summit estimate25%Cloud base through day600-900 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:23 · Sunset 16:28 · 9.1 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A mixed day on Scafell Pike, with cloud coming and going on the summit.
Wind
On the summit expect an easterly wind of 10–20 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.
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-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Any sunshine is more likely on lower ground than on the summit.
Rain and ground
Spells of drizzle, mostly mid-morning.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°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. It's still five days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 7 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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
MixedSummit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
64
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
MixedSummit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground.
64
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: gusts of about 25 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Friday 6 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the east. Expect a little rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
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
11 mph / 18 mph
Typical / low
4.8°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
13 mph / 22 mph
Typical / low
4.8°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
High
900 m50 · mixed
Wind / gust
15 mph / 26 mph
Typical / low
2.7°C / 1.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
100% of modelled night
Condensation
High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust20-30 mphRain0.4 mm
Main factorswet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
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 2026-11-06. All times are UK local time.
Aurora outlook
Nothing notable expected.
A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.
Stargazing
Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 6 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT.
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Moon-free dark sky: 6 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 7 Nov, 05:25 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
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
6 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.
6 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.
6 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
6 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 7 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
7 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.
7 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.
7 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.
7 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.
7 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.
7 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 5% illuminated.
Moonrise around 7 Nov, 05:40 GMT.
Full darkness: 6 Nov, 18:30 GMT to 7 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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Friday 6 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-15 mph easterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0010-20 mphFeels like-4 to 0°CPrecipitationUp to around 2 mmCloud-free summit estimate40%Cloud base through day700-1,400 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:25 · Sunset 16:26 · 9.0 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A good day on Scafell Pike, though expect cloud on the tops early.
Wind
On the summit expect light winds of up to 15 mph, mainly easterly, with gusts of 10–20 mph at the windiest. The wind turns north-easterly in the early afternoon.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by midday. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m around midday. 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
Drizzle at first, clearing by midday.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -4 to 0°C in the wind. The freezing level is 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
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 6.7 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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
MixedSummit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.
66
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
ExcellentSummit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 10-20 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.
90
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold: dry, with light winds.59Mixed · 600 mView 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. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
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.
Fair conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be drying, but damp patches, shaded holds and drainage lines may still be wet. 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. 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 gust10-20 mphRain0.3 mm
Main concerndamp or incompletely dried rock possible
Representative rock around the summit and along available routes
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-11-07. 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
Good sky conditions during the best available spell: 8 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
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.
Limited model coverage.
7 Nov, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
Limited model coverage.
7 Nov, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
Limited model coverage.
7 Nov, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
Limited model coverage.
7 Nov, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
Limited model coverage.
7 Nov, 23:00 GMT to 8 Nov, 00:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
8 Nov, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
8 Nov, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
8 Nov, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
8 Nov, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
8 Nov, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
8 Nov, 05:00 GMT to 05:25 GMT
Good sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
Limited model coverage.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Near-new moon, about 2% illuminated.
Moonrise around 8 Nov, 07:05 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 562 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.
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 Scafell Pike on Saturday 7 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
A fine day on Scafell Pike: 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. 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 0 to 4°C, feeling like -4 to 0°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.
Daylight
A short day, with only about 9 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:25pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
It's still seven days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 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.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
ExcellentSummit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground.
100
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
ExcellentSummit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 0-10 mph are possible on exposed ground.
100
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air: a frost, down to -1°C.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Sunday 8 November 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of damp air. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. The air is damp up around 900 m, so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A frost up around 900 m, down to about -1°C. 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.
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.
Excellent conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be mostly dry, though drainage lines and shaded holds may still be damp. The rock around the summit is mostly 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. On the usual routes up you may also cross dolerite, which grips well when dry and is fair when wet. 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation
Origin
Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group
Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Sandstone or gritstone in 100% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
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 Bob Graham Round
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Old County Tops
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone, granite, gneiss or gabbro
Wainwright Scafell Pike Langdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 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
Volcaniclastic sandstone and brecciaSeathwaite Fell Sandstone Formation520–959 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 2 more
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
Dacitic lapilli-tuffLincomb Tarns Tuff Formation632–853 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Old County Tops, Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale and 1 more
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
AndesiteBirker Fell Andesite Formation69–404 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Bob Graham Round, Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
DaciteScafell Dacite Member738–843 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
Rhyolitic lapilli-tuffLong Top Tuff Member512–625 m samplesSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Wasdale
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
AndesiteLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 550 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Andesite is a hard volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet, though polished holds on popular routes get slippery. It is generally solid, but shattered in gullies and on broken ground.
BGS record →
Route sample
Felsic tuffCrinkle Tuff MemberAround 438 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
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
MicrogabbroLake District Ordovician Minor Intrusion SuiteAround 336 mSeen on Wainwright Scafell Pike Corridor Borrowdale
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
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 Scafell Pike on Sunday 8 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.