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
Sunshine through the day. The time blocks show where the model places the brighter spells.
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 southerly wind of 25–35 mph, gusting 35–45 mph, picking up through the day. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 35–45 mph are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Spate risk
High spate risk based on 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. Rain for much of the day, becoming heavier later. Expect 10–20 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. 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. Sleet or snow is possible on some higher tops in the morning, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 700 to 800 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain. On some higher summits there is a risk of blizzard conditions in the morning, when snow and strong winds coincide. Paths and footprints can quickly disappear beneath falling and blowing snow. 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 30% early and about 15% around midday.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of clear tops early on. The cloud base lowers through the day. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m by late 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. Where snow covers the ground, the sky and hillside can merge into a featureless white view, making it difficult to judge slope or direction. Do not rely on following a visible path. Avoid exposed routes if you cannot navigate safely in these conditions, and turn back before visibility deteriorates.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 600 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -10 to -6°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 close to summit height.
Daylight
Sunrise 08:00, Sunset 16:02, about 8.0 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 around 9 mm of rain. 9Poor · 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 9 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 4°C at 600 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 91%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 05:13 next morning GMT
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 21 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 22 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
- 24 mph / 39 mph
- Coldest
- 4.4°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 29 mph / 46 mph
- Coldest
- 3.6°C
- In cloud
- 53% 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 & scramblingBetaSnow may fall on some high ground. Deposits could make summer scrambling conditions inappropriate. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 50 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 50 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 15 November 2026 at 16:26 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Southern Scotland.