The day on the hill
A mixed day on Sgùrr na Ruaidhe, with snow on the tops.
Snow and navigation
Snow is forecast on the tops in the afternoon. The air freezing level is roughly 700 to 900 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain. The forecast model suggests around 1 cm of fresh snowfall at around 1000 m between 08:00 and 17:00 (local time). The amount settling is uncertain and will vary with melting and drifting. There is a risk of blizzard conditions in the afternoon, when snow and strong winds coincide. Paths and footprints can quickly disappear beneath falling and blowing snow. Snow may collect in deeper drifts in hollows, behind boulders and on slopes sheltered from the wind. Exposed ground may be scoured while nearby drifts deepen. Wind-loaded slopes can also be avalanche terrain. Check the local avalanche forecast where one is available; this is not an assessment of slope stability.
Wind
On the summit expect a north-westerly wind of around 10–20 mph first thing, rising to 20–30 mph by mid-afternoon, with gusts of 30–40 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop. It gets windier still after dark, with summit gusts of 30–40 mph, so bear that in mind if you will be out late.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m mid-morning. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views whenever the tops come out of the cloud. Where snow covers the ground, the sky and hillside can merge into a featureless white view, making it difficult to judge slope or direction. Do not rely on following a visible path. Avoid exposed routes if you cannot navigate safely in these conditions, and turn back before visibility deteriorates.
Rain and ground
Snow arrives in the early afternoon. Some forecast models keep it drier later on.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around -4 to 0°C, feeling like -12 to -8°C in the wind. The freezing level is around 700–1000 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
A short day, with only about 8 hours of daylight. Sunset is around 4:10pm, 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 4.5 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
- Early
- Less than 1 hour
- Midday
- 3 h
- Later
- 0 h
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m (gusts of about 50 mph and about 6 mm of rain). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full overnight outlook
Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 50 mph around 900 m and nearer 30 mph around 300 m, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Pitch low down and in real shelter, or leave it for another night. Expect about 6 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A frost at every height we checked (300-900 m), down to about -4°C. A 4-season bag rated to about -6°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 20 mph / 32 mph
- Typical / low
- 0.2°C / -1.5°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 25 mph / 41 mph
- Typical / low
- -0.5°C / -2.2°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 33% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 30 mph / 49 mph
- Typical / low
- -2.5°C / -4.2°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 33% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 4-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about -6°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 & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: wet, slippery rock. Poor0 View detailsHide details
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. Gusts of 30–40 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly gneiss, a very old, hard, banded rock. It grips very well when dry and stays reasonably grippy when wet. It is usually very solid. On the usual routes up you may also cross psammite banded with schist, which grips well on the harder bands when dry and is slippery on the mica-rich layers 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.
Gneiss is a very old, hard, banded rock. It grips very well when dry and stays reasonably grippy when wet. It is usually very solid. 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.
Sgùrr na Ruaidhe, Càrn nan Gobhar (Strathfarrar), Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais and Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill
psammite, pelite or semipelite
Geological detail and BGS records
5 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Gneiss is a very old, hard, banded rock. It grips very well when dry and stays reasonably grippy when wet. It is usually very solid.
BGS recordPsammite banded with schist is a hard, sandy rock with flakier, mica-rich layers. It grips well on the harder bands when dry and is slippery on the mica-rich layers when wet. The flaky layers split easily, so some flakes and ledges are loose.
BGS recordPsammite banded with schist is a hard, sandy rock with flakier, mica-rich layers. It grips well on the harder bands when dry and is slippery on the mica-rich layers when wet. The flaky layers split easily, so some flakes and ledges are loose.
BGS recordSchist is a flaky, mica-rich rock that splits into layers. It has only fair grip when dry and is slippery when wet, as the mica gives it a greasy sheen. It splits easily along its layers, so flakes and ledges can be loose, and it is often grassy and vegetated.
Micaceous psammite is a hard, sandy rock flecked with mica. It grips well when dry and can be slippery when wet where the mica shows. It is generally solid and blocky.
Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
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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.
Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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