North Pennines
A fine day in the North Pennines: light winds and clear tops for most of the day, though expect burns rising after rain.
Sunshine and sky
Cloud becoming more extensive. Cloud cover is likely to increase as sunshine becomes less frequent.
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 westerly wind of 10–20 mph, gusting 15–25 mph.
Walking impact
Noticeable on exposed ground, but unlikely to impede most walking.
Spate risk
There could be a spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may rise quickly. 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
Rain arrives in the late afternoon.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 90% early, about 90% around midday and about 80% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay mostly clear of cloud. Some forecast models are much cloudier overhead. That may limit sunshine without putting the summits in cloud. Mist or fog is possible in some valleys early on. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 700 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.
Freezing level
The freezing level is close to summit height.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:24, Sunset 18:29, about 11.1 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area: gusts of about 45 mph and heavy rain, around 30 mm. 19/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Not a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area. Gusts reach about 45 mph on open ground, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Check the forecast for the hill and height you have in mind, and don't assume lower ground will be sheltered. About 32 mm of rain is forecast overnight. Up around 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. Overnight lows of about 5°C at 600 m.
Moon overnight
Waning crescent moon
- Illuminated disc
- 3%
- Moonrise
- 05:57 next morning BST
- Moonset
- 17:34 BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 8 Oct, 17:00 BST to 9 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 54.703, -2.487. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 21 mph / 37 mph
- Coldest
- 5.4°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 25 mph / 45 mph
- Coldest
- 5.2°C
- In cloud
- 87% of modelled 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 & scramblingBetaSub-zero temperatures and moisture may leave icy patches on exposed rock. Wet rock is likely. 11/100Poor · 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 (11/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes sandstone or gritstone, slate or mudstone and limestone. 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 8 October 2026 at 05:28 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for North Pennines.