Northumberland and Cheviots
Sunday 30 August 2026 · The Cheviots and Northumberland's higher hills
Why: Thunderstorm timing is inherently uncertain and may shift by several hours.
Thunderstorms are the main concern, especially on exposed summits and ridges. Light southerly wind and Persistent rain.
High-ground wind (600 m)
Southerly around 10 mph at 600 m. Gusts reaching around 15 mph at 600 m, with locally higher values possible on the most exposed tops. Temporarily strongest around midday, near 10 mph.
Walking impact
Little effect on walking, although exposed tops may still feel chilly.
Thunderstorms
A high thunderstorm risk is indicated from the morning into the evening. Avoid committing to exposed summits or ridges while storms are building or nearby.
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 from around 07:00, continuing overnight and easing after around 01:00 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 45%. Around 45% early, improving to around 55% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud bases mostly around 300-600 m. Bases should tend to lift as the day goes on. Cloud is likely to come and go on the higher summits; breaks may be useful but not dependable.
Temperature and wind chill
Around 11°C at 600 m, feeling like 9°C in the wind.
Freezing level
Above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 06:09 — Sunset 20:07 — about 14.0 hours daylight.
Overnight · 6 p.m.–9 a.m.Wild campingBetaThunder risk is around 54% in parts of the area; avoid exposed pitches if storms develop. 42/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across representative hills, open-hillside camping looks poor around 600 m (42/100). Some overnight rain is likely, so expect a damp pitch or pack-up.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 5 / 10 mph
- Coldest
- 12.0°C
- In cloud
- Unlikely
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 6 / 11 mph
- Coldest
- 11.0°C
- In cloud
- 31% of night
- Condensation
- Moderate
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 47% in parts of the area; exposed scrambling may be a poor choice. 17/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Full regional climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (17/100). 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 volcanic rock and granite, gneiss or gabbro; 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 Northumberland and Cheviots.