Lochaber
Ben Nevis Weather
Mountain forecast and current conditions · summit 1345m
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:24
- Sunset
- 21:09
- Civil dawn
- 04:37
- Civil dusk
- 21:57
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
About the weather here
Ben Nevis (1,345m) has one of the most severe summit climates in the British Isles. The summit is in cloud for more than 80% of the year and receives over 4,000mm of annual rainfall — more than six times that of London. Temperature at the summit averages -0.5°C across the full year. Even in July, summit temperatures average only 4°C.
What to expect
The summit plateau is notoriously unpredictable. Clear valley conditions in Fort William bear little relation to what is happening at 1,345m. Winds are frequently above 50mph at the summit even on days that feel calm below. The mountain creates its own weather: air forced over the summit cools rapidly, generating cloud and precipitation that can appear with little warning. The thermal lapse rate means the summit is on average 8°C colder than Fort William.
Wind exposure
Extreme. The summit is one of the windiest locations in the UK — annual mean wind speed exceeds 70mph and gusts above 100mph are regularly recorded. The north-east plateau edge (above the CIC Hut cliffs) is dangerously exposed. Even moderate valley winds produce severe gale conditions at the summit.
Winter conditions
Ben Nevis is a full winter mountaineering venue from November to April. The north-east face holds the most concentrated alpine rock and ice climbing in the UK. Wind-loading creates significant cornices on the summit plateau edge that can collapse without warning. The descent bearing from the summit in whiteout (231°T for 150m, then 281°T) is critical navigation knowledge — many casualties result from navigation errors in poor visibility. SAIS West Highlands avalanche forecast is essential reading before any winter ascent.
Official forecasts
Always check an official mountain forecast before setting out. Current conditions displayed above are from the Open-Meteo API and are indicative only.
Hills in this area
| Hill | Height |
|---|---|
| Carn Mòr Dearg | 1220m |
| Aonach Beag | 1234m |
| Aonach Mòr | 1221m |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the weather like on Ben Nevis in summer?
- Even in July and August, Ben Nevis summit temperatures average only 4°C with frequent high winds and cloud cover. The summit is in cloud on approximately 300 days per year. A warm, sunny day in Fort William does not guarantee good summit conditions — always check the MWIS forecast before ascending.
- How much colder is Ben Nevis summit than the valley?
- The thermal lapse rate means the summit is approximately 8–9°C colder than Fort William at sea level. On a day when Fort William reaches 18°C, expect 9–10°C at the summit — colder with wind chill. In winter, summit temperatures regularly reach -15°C or below with wind chill.
- What is the Ben Nevis weather record?
- The Ben Nevis Observatory operated from 1883 to 1904 and recorded the most complete high-altitude weather dataset in UK history. The lowest recorded temperature was -17.4°C; highest wind gust 150mph (240km/h). Annual precipitation exceeded 4,000mm in most years of operation.
- Is Ben Nevis safe to climb in bad weather?
- No — descending Ben Nevis in poor visibility is one of the most common causes of mountain rescue callouts in Scotland. The summit plateau has cliff edges on three sides. The safe descent bearing (231° magnetic for 150m, then 281°) must be followed precisely in mist. If in doubt about conditions, do not attempt the summit.
- What gear do I need for Ben Nevis in summer?
- At minimum: waterproof jacket and trousers, warm mid-layer, hat and gloves, walking boots (not trainers), map and compass (OS Landranger 41), food and water. In summer (June–August) this is the minimum — conditions deteriorate rapidly. In any other month, treat it as a potential winter day.