Southern Scotland
A poor day on the tops in Southern Scotland, with sleet or snow on the tops and burns likely to be in spate.
Sunshine and sky
Extensive cloud. Cloud is likely to remain extensive for much of 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 (600 m)
At around 600 m, expect a north-westerly wind of 15–25 mph, gusting 20–30 mph. A wind like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Walking impact
A steady wind of 15–25 mph will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Spate risk
High spate risk based on recent and forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. 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
Sleet or snow is possible on the tops. Heavy rain early on, turning lighter by early afternoon. Expect 5–10 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is forecast during the morning, but models differ considerably on the amount. Rain is forecast in parts of the area during the afternoon, but its extent and local amounts are uncertain. On some hills, sleet or snow is possible on the tops, with the balance depending on temperature. On some hills, cloud may make navigation difficult, with very poor visibility in wetter spells. Snow is forecast on some higher tops in the afternoon. 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 10% early, about 10% around midday and about 10% later.
Cloud and visibility
Expect many summits to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 300–600 m in the early afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 600 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -8 to -4°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 above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:48, Sunset 16:11, about 8.4 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a poor night to camp on open ground: a frost, down to -4°C. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the north. Some light 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. A frost at every height we checked (300-600 m), down to about -4°C.
Moon overnight
Waxing crescent moon
- Illuminated disc
- 36%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 21:01 GMT
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 15 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 16 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 55.139, -4.468. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 15 mph / 26 mph
- Coldest
- -2.4°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 19 mph / 32 mph
- Coldest
- -3.5°C
- In cloud
- 60% 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 30 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0Poor · 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 (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 30 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes sandstone or gritstone and 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 Southern Scotland.