Lochaber
Tuesday 1 September 2026 · Ben Nevis, the Mamores and surrounding ranges
Why: Thunderstorm timing is inherently uncertain and may shift by several hours.
Thunderstorms are the main concern, especially on exposed summits and ridges. A noticeable westerly breeze and Persistent rain.
High-ground wind (900 m)
Westerly 10-15 mph at 900 m. Gusts reaching around 25 mph at 900 m, with locally higher values possible on the most exposed tops. Little overall change through the day.
Walking impact
Noticeable on exposed ground, but unlikely to impede most walking.
Thunderstorms
A moderate thunderstorm risk is indicated from the morning into the evening. Avoid committing to exposed summits or ridges while storms are building or nearby.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be wet after recent rain.
Spate risk
There could be a spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may rise quickly. The heaviest rain is expected early in the day. Crossing risk is expected throughout the day, continuing overnight and easing after around 03:00 the following morning. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Persistent rain for much of the day. The heaviest rain is expected early in the day.
Cloud-free summits
Around 35%. Best around midday at about 60%; around 25% early and 25% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud bases mostly around 500-800 m. Cloud is likely to come and go on the higher summits; breaks may be useful but not dependable.
Temperature and wind chill
Around 5°C at 900 m, then falling toward 5°C later, feeling like 0°C in the wind.
Freezing level
Above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 06:21 — Sunset 20:16 — about 13.9 hours daylight.
Overnight · 6 p.m.–9 a.m.Wild campingBetaThunder risk is around 31% in parts of the area; avoid exposed pitches if storms develop. 45/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across representative hills, open-hillside camping looks mixed around 600 m (45/100). Some overnight rain is likely, so expect a damp pitch or pack-up.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 10 / 16 mph
- Coldest
- 7.1°C
- In cloud
- Unlikely
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 12 / 25 mph
- Coldest
- 6.8°C
- In cloud
- 94% of night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 14 / 28 mph
- Coldest
- 4.8°C
- In cloud
- 100% of night
- Condensation
- High
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 & scramblingBetaThunder risk is around 36% in parts of the area; exposed scrambling may be a poor choice. 0/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Full regional climbing & scrambling outlook
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 25 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes psammite, pelite or semipelite, granite, gneiss or gabbro and volcanic rock; moisture response can therefore vary substantially 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.
Updated 30 August 2026 at 04:40 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Lochaber.