Lochaber
Wednesday 2 September 2026 · Ben Nevis, the Mamores and surrounding ranges
Why: Clearer summits are favoured, but some forecast models are much cloudier.
Mostly dry conditions. A noticeable southwesterly breeze, with cloud coming and going on the tops.
Sunshine and sky
Cloud thickening. The brighter part of the day is likely to come before cloud thickens.
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.
High-ground wind (900 m)
Southwesterly around 15 mph at 900 m. Gusts reaching around 20 mph at 900 m, with locally higher values possible on the most exposed tops. Starting nearer 5 mph, then strengthening toward 10 mph later.
Walking impact
Noticeable on exposed ground, but unlikely to impede most walking.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives.
Spate risk
There could be a spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may rise quickly. Crossing risk is expected from around 22:00, continuing overnight and easing after around 03:00 the following morning. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Mostly dry.
Cloud-free summits
Around 55%. Around 65% early, falling to around 40% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud bases mostly around 1300-1600 m. Bases should tend to lift as the day goes on. Cloud bases are likely to remain high, but some forecast models are much cloudier, so more extensive summit cloud remains a credible outcome. Cloud is likely to come and go on the higher summits; breaks may be useful but not dependable.
Temperature and wind chill
Around 6°C at 900 m, feeling like 2°C in the wind.
Freezing level
Above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 06:23 — Sunset 20:13 — about 13.8 hours daylight.
Overnight · 6 p.m.–9 a.m.Wild campingBetaGusts near 45 mph make sheltered pitches important. 49/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across representative hills, open-hillside camping looks mixed around 600 m (49/100). Open-ground gusts may reach about 45 mph, so sheltered pitches will matter. A wet night is likely, with around 12 mm indicated between pitching and packing up.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 16 / 30 mph
- Coldest
- 10.4°C
- In cloud
- Unlikely
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 20 / 37 mph
- Coldest
- 9.8°C
- In cloud
- 25% of night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 23 / 43 mph
- Coldest
- 7.9°C
- In cloud
- 25% of night
- Condensation
- High
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 & scramblingBetaSome rock may remain damp or still be drying. 50/100Mixed · Mixed View detailsHide details
Full regional climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look mixed (50/100). Some rock may remain damp or incompletely dried, especially in shade and seepage lines. 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 1 September 2026 at 15:33 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Lochaber.