Lewis and Harris
A poor day on the tops in Lewis and Harris, with sleet or snow on the tops and a blustery wind.
Sunshine and sky
Extensive cloud. Cloud is likely to remain extensive for much of the day.
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 (700 m)
At around 700 m, expect an easterly wind of 25–35 mph, gusting 35–45 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 35–45 mph are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be wet after recent rain.
Rain and showers
Sleet for much of the day. Expect up to 2 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is possible during the morning and afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall. On some hills, sleet is possible on the tops. Small temperature changes could shift the mix towards rain or snow. Sleet or snow is possible on some higher tops during the morning and afternoon, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 800 to 700 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 25% early, about 25% around midday and about 25% later.
Cloud and visibility
Expect many summits to be in cloud for most of the day. 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. Some forecast models are much cloudier overhead. That may limit sunshine without putting the summits in cloud.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 700 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is close to summit height.
Daylight
Sunrise 08:17, Sunset 16:06, about 7.8 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch up around 600 m on some hills (gusts of about 40 mph). Lower down, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Too windy for an exposed pitch up around 600 m on some hills. Lower down, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 40 mph on open ground, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Check the forecast for the hill and height you have in mind, and don't assume lower ground will be sheltered. A little rain is forecast overnight. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 600 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 55%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 23:41 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: 57.964, -6.813. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 17 mph / 31 mph
- Coldest
- 2.7°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 22 mph / 40 mph
- Coldest
- 0.8°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
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 & scramblingBetaSnow is likely to be lying on some high ground. Scrambling may require winter mountaineering skills and equipment. 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.
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.
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Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Updated 14 November 2026 at 16:37 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Lewis and Harris.