Lewis and Harris
A mixed day in Lewis and Harris, with sleet or snow on the tops.
Sunshine and sky
Less sunshine later. Sunshine is indicated less often later in 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 a north-easterly wind of 20–30 mph, gusting 25–35 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Walking impact
Gusts of 25–35 mph will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Rain and showers
Sleet and snow at first, clearing by midday. Expect up to 2 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. On some hills, sleet or snow is possible on the tops, with the balance depending on temperature. Sleet or snow is possible on some higher tops in the morning, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 700 to 800 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain. Blowing snow may quickly cover paths and footprints and make navigation difficult. 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.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 60% early, about 55% around midday and about 60% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of clear tops later in the day.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 700 m it will be -2 to 2°C, feeling like -10 to -6°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 08:19, Sunset 16:04, about 7.8 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold: gusts of about 25 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold. Gusts reach about 25 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the northeast. It should stay dry. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 600 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 65%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 01:04 next morning GMT
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 18 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 19 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
- 13 mph / 22 mph
- Coldest
- 3.2°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 16 mph / 27 mph
- Coldest
- 1.5°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, with further snowfall possible. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 35 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 1Poor · 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 (1/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 35 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.