The day on the hill
On Whiteside East Top: summit wind broadly 10-25 mph, with gusts 25-35 mph at times (a fresh breeze). Visibility may drop briefly in showers.
Things to watch
High spate risk early in the day and into the afternoon, with forecast rain and subsequent runoff. Timings are approximate, not a guarantee of safe crossings afterwards. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Cloud & views
Cloud base around 600–900 m in the morning, lifting to 1300–1600 m around midday and 1500–1800 m by late afternoon. Summit cloud is extensive early, becoming less frequent later.
Cloud-height uncertainty could put the summit in or out of cloud. Clear spells may be difficult to time.
Cloud may hang lower on northwestern slopes and lift somewhat on the southeastern side, but local terrain can differ. Sunny spells are possible away from summit cloud, but may not reach the top while it is in cloud.
Showers are forecast. Some showers could be heavy.
The forecast total is around 2-5 mm, but local amounts will vary.
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. If clothing gets wet, you can cool more quickly.
Keep a dry warm layer protected. Forecast models differ on whether meaningful rain reaches the hills during the morning.
Cloud-free timing: Cloudy early, clearing later.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 6 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
- Early
- 0 h
- Midday
- 3.6 h
- Later
- 2 h
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA broadly very good night on a well-chosen pitch. 93/100Excellent · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full overnight outlook
Open-hillside camping looks very good overall around 600 m (93/100). It may be breezy on open ground, with gusts near 20 mph. Little overnight rain is forecast.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 92%
- Moonrise
- 18:12 BST
- Moonset
- 04:01 next morning BST
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: 23 Sep, 17:00 BST to 24 Sep, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 7 mph / 17 mph
- Typical / low
- 7.7°C / 7.3°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 8 mph / 20 mph
- Typical / low
- 7.7°C / 7.3°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
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.
Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaWet rock is likely. Poor0/100 View detailsHide details
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling look very poor (0/100). Rain during the climbing period is likely to leave rock wet and more slippery. The mapped summit rock is Mudstone and siltstone (Kirk Stile Formation). Often positive when dry, but smooth, polished or slabby sections can become markedly more slippery when damp.
Often positive when dry, but smooth, polished or slabby sections can become markedly more slippery when damp. 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.
Wainwright Grasmoor Round
slate or mudstone
Generic 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.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. This does not mean clear skies or no aurora.
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 Whiteside East Top on Wednesday 23 September 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Open the questions to take part.
About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead


