The day on the hill
Frequent summit cloud on Sgùrr Mhic Chòinnich: summit wind broadly 10-30 mph, with gusts 35-45 mph at times (strong winds).
Things to watch
Recent nearby rain suggests possible spate risk now. High spate risk during the morning, with forecast rain and subsequent runoff. Timings are approximate, not a guarantee of safe crossings afterwards. These modelled periods do not establish when runoff from the observed rain will ease. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Wind & exposure
Much calmer lower down - generally 5-15 mph in the valley, rising towards the tops.
Cloud & views
Cloud base mostly around 600–900 m through daylight. Summit cloud is likely, but brief clear spells remain possible if the cloud sits higher than expected.
Cloud-height uncertainty could put the summit in or out of cloud. Clear spells may be difficult to time.
Any sunshine may be confined to lower ground or breaks away from the summit.
Rain & temperature
Some rain is likely, totalling up to around 2 mm, but its timing and local amounts are uncertain. Forecast models differ on summit wind strength: around 24-29 mph at walker height, with gusts 34-41 mph.
Forecast confidence
Cloud height remains uncertain, especially where it is close to summit level. Exposed tops may feel chilly in the wind.
A windproof layer will help, with an extra warm layer for stops. Buffeting may affect balance on exposed ground, particularly near ridges and edges.
Forecast models differ on whether meaningful rain reaches the hills during the morning.
Cloud-free timing: Around 15% early, improving to around 35% later.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates Less than 1 hour of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Cloud may obscure this summit even while the surrounding model grid indicates sunshine. The low cloud-free summit estimate is a reason to be cautious about expecting views.
- Early
- 0 h
- Midday
- Less than 1 hour
- Later
- 0 h
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaCondensation risk is high near 900 m. 83/100Good · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full overnight outlook
Open-hillside camping looks promising overall around 600 m (83/100). A lower pitch near 300 m looks more comfortable. Conditions are less suitable by 900 m. It may be breezy on open ground, with gusts near 25 mph. Peak gusts range from about 15 mph at 300 m to 25 mph at 900 m. A little rain is forecast overnight. Pitches near 900 m may spend part of the night in cloud, bringing damp conditions and poor visibility while cloud is present. Condensation risk is high near 900 m. Ventilation will matter. The coldest temperature falls from about 6.6°C at 300 m to 4.7°C at 900 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 86%
- Moonrise
- 18:26 BST
- Moonset
- 02:40 next morning BST
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 22 Sep, 17:00 BST to 23 Sep, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 8 mph / 17 mph
- Typical / low
- 8.2°C / 6.6°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 9 mph / 20 mph
- Typical / low
- 8.2°C / 6.6°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 11 mph / 24 mph
- Typical / low
- 6.2°C / 4.7°C · a brief spell
- In cloud
- 47% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 4°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaRock may be damp or still drying. Gusts near 40 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. Poor0/100 View detailsHide details
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling look very poor (0/100). Recent rain may leave seepage and damp rock, especially on shaded sections. The mapped summit rock is Microgabbro (Outer Bytownite Troctolites, B1 (Cuillin Centre)). Generally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery. Representative samples along available mapped routes also include Bytownite troctolite, Olivine-gabbro and 1 other mapped type, so rock character and wet-weather behaviour may change across the mountain. Gusts may reach about 40 mph. Crosswinds can make exposed ridges substantially more serious. Cloud may also make route-finding and retreat harder.
Generally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery. Summit-point mapping plus representative BGS bedrock samples along available GPX routes. These are not continuous geological surveys; contacts, superficial deposits and the exposed rock on individual holds may differ.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Sgùrr Mhic Chòinnich
granite, gneiss or gabbro
Geological detail and BGS records
5 rock types appear across the available route samples
The summit type remains the forecast's cautious rock-response reference. Other mapped types show where conditions may behave differently elsewhere on the mountain.
Generally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery.
BGS recordGenerally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery.
BGS recordGenerally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery.
BGS recordGenerally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery.
BGS recordGenerally grippy when dry and often still positive when damp, but wet slabs, lichen, polish and drainage lines can remain slippery.
BGS recordGeneric exposed scrambling terrain; mapped summit-point bedrock is included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
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Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. This does not mean clear skies or no aurora.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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