Dartmoor
A poor day on the tops in Dartmoor, with burns in severe spate and strong, gusty winds.
Sunshine and sky
Sunshine varies by period. Sunshine amounts vary between the morning, midday and later periods.
These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. The regional median prevents one unusually bright or dull summit cell defining the whole area.
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
High-ground wind (500 m)
At around 500 m, expect a westerly wind of 30–40 mph, gusting 40–50 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 40–50 mph are strong enough to knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges.
Thunderstorms
There is a small chance of a thunderstorm from the morning into the evening. If you hear thunder, head down off the tops and away from ridges. If a thunderstorm develops, sudden gusts and heavy rain can change conditions quickly.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives.
Spate risk
Severe spate risk based on recent and forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Timing and severity can vary between catchments. Check the peak forecast for the separate rain/runoff periods. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Spells of drizzle through the day. Rain is forecast in parts of the area during the afternoon, but its extent and local amounts are uncertain.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 55% early, about 60% around midday and about 55% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of clear tops around midday. Some forecast models are much cloudier overhead. That may limit sunshine without putting the summits in cloud. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views whenever the tops come out of the cloud.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 500 m it will be 6 to 10°C, feeling like 0 to 4°C in the wind. A windproof and an extra layer for stops will help. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:33, Sunset 16:27, about 8.9 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain: gusts of about 30 mph. 59Mixed · 300 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the west. Some light rain is forecast overnight. Overnight lows of about 7°C at 300 m. The ground will be sodden after recent rain, so pick a firm, well-drained pitch.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 55%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 23:47 GMT
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 17 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 18 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 50.685, -4.011. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 20 mph / 29 mph
- Coldest
- 7.4°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Moderate
The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.
Open-hillside guidance across representative hills. Local shelter, ridges, tent design and the exact pitch can change conditions substantially. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaA small chance of a thunderstorm in parts of the area. Avoid exposed scrambling if storms develop. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 45 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Regional climbing & scrambling outlook
A broad guide to dampness and exposed rock across the area, not a forecast for every crag. Lower, sheltered crags and individual rock types may behave differently.
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 45 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes granite, gneiss or gabbro. Rock can therefore respond differently to moisture between crags and routes. A small chance of a thunderstorm in parts of the area. Storm timing is uncertain, so avoid committing to exposed rock if storms may develop.
Representative summit-point samples across the region; individual crags and routes may differ.
Generic exposed hands-on-rock terrain across representative summits; mapped summit-point geology is a broad regional sample, not a named-route survey. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling 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.
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 Dartmoor on Tuesday 17 November 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
Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Updated 15 November 2026 at 16:26 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Dartmoor.