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Active location

Blencathra, Cumbria

54.64°N, 3.06°W · ~663m · 06:42 – 19:31
Updated 02:58
Temp
12°C
↑ 0.2 / 1hr
Wind
5.4
↑ 0.4 / 1hr
Condition
Overcast
Overcast
Score
4.0
Fair
Time
Condition
Precip mm
Precip %
Temp
Temp °C
Feels °C
Wind
Direction
Wind mph
Gust mph
Detail
Humidity %
Pressure
Vis km
UV Index
CAPE J/kg
Score
Mon 14 Sep Tue 15 Sep Wed 16 Sep Thu 17 Sep Fri 18 Sep Sat 19 Sep Sun 20 Sep Mon 21 Sep
02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00
Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Fog Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Sunny intervals Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Sunny intervals Mostly sunny Overcast Overcast Fog Light drizzle Dense drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate rain Heavy rain Heavy rain Moderate rain Dense drizzle Moderate drizzle Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Mostly sunny Sunny intervals Overcast Moderate rain Light drizzle Light drizzle Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly clear near sunset Partly cloudy Mostly clear Partly cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle Sunny intervals Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Sunny intervals Mostly cloudy Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Dense drizzle Dense drizzle Dense drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Overcast Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Dense drizzle Dense drizzle Dense drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle Mostly sunny Mostly cloudy Overcast Moderate rain Moderate rain Moderate rain Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Light drizzle with clear spells Clear Mostly clear Partly cloudy Mostly cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Partly cloudy near sunset Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy
- - - - - 0.1 0.2 0.3 - - - - - 0.1 - - - - - 0.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 6.1 5 3.1 1.1 0.8 - - - - - - - - 1.4 0.4 0.3 - - - - - - - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - - - - - 0.2 0.2 0.2 - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 1 1 1 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 - - - 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - - 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
30% 35% 35% 35% 40% 100% 100% 100% 55% 30% 25% 35% 35% 90% 25% 20% 30% 35% 40% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 95% 65% 35% 35% 35% 30% 25% 15% 75% 100% 100% 100% 25% 10% 10% 10% 10% 25% 30% 35% 35% 95% 90% 80% 80% 80% 80% 25% 15% 0% 0% 10% 20% 65% 70% 75% 30% 15% 15% 70% 65% 70% 70% 80% 80% 100% 100% 100% 80% 75% 80% 75% 80% 80% 85% 80% 80% 80% 80% 75% 65% 70% 65% 75% 80% 75% 75% 75% 75% 75% 75% 70% 70% 80% 80% 35% 30% 30% 75% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 25% 25% 45% 80% 80% 85% 100% 100% 100% 85% 85% 85% 80% 70% 65% 20% 20% 55% 90% 95% 95% 80% 80% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 60% 60% 60% 60% 15% 15% 20% 25% 20% 25% 20% 15% 15% 10% 10% 10% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5%
 
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11° 11° 11° 11° 11° 11° 12° 12° 11° 12° 13° 12° 13° 10° 10° 10° 10° 11° 11° 11° 12° 12° 11° - - - - - - - - - - -
 
S SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW S SW SW SW SW SSW SSW SSW SW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SW SSW SW SW SW WSW W W W W WSW WSW WSW WSW W W WNW WNW WNW WNW W W W W WNW WNW WNW WNW W W W W W W WNW WNW WNW W W W W W WSW WSW WSW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW WSW WSW WSW W W WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W WSW WSW WSW SW SW SW SW SW SW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW SW SW SW SSW SW SW SW WSW WSW W W W W W W W W W W WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW SW N N N N N N N N N N N
5 6 7 7 8 8 6 9 10 10 9 11 12 17 19 19 18 17 16 15 15 14 16 14 14 15 18 15 16 16 14 15 16 17 19 15 15 12 14 15 13 10 10 9 10 9 10 11 11 11 11 10 10 11 9 9 9 10 11 12 13 15 15 14 11 9 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 17 16 14 13 14 16 17 18 18 18 18 18 18 17 16 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 20 21 20 19 19 19 19 19 17 15 14 15 16 17 18 18 18 17 15 14 13 12 12 13 15 15 9 8 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 12 12 13 12 12 11 10 9 7 6 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 - - - - - - - - - - -
11 13 15 15 15 17 13 19 21 19 18 21 23 33 36 36 35 33 32 30 30 28 32 29 28 31 36 30 32 33 28 29 30 32 37 29 30 23 27 30 27 22 22 19 21 20 20 22 22 21 19 18 18 19 16 17 17 19 20 22 24 26 27 24 19 16 16 18 20 22 24 27 29 30 31 29 25 23 25 28 30 31 32 32 32 33 32 31 29 27 26 26 26 27 28 29 29 30 30 30 29 30 32 35 37 36 35 33 33 34 33 31 28 26 27 29 31 32 32 32 30 27 24 22 21 20 22 26 27 16 16 15 16 17 17 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 22 21 19 17 14 11 9 8 8 9 10 12 13 14 - - - - - - - - - - -
 
93 98 100 100 100 100 100 100 96 94 92 96 94 93 91 92 94 96 100 100 100 100 100 98 99 100 100 100 99 97 95 95 94 90 82 91 97 95 95 83 80 83 84 90 95 96 97 97 97 98 97 96 97 97 93 90 86 82 79 77 79 83 86 85 82 81 83 86 88 89 90 91 92 93 93 93 93 93 91 89 88 88 89 89 89 88 88 89 91 92 93 93 93 92 92 91 91 91 91 93 95 95 92 88 84 82 81 81 80 80 81 84 88 91 92 92 92 93 94 95 95 95 95 95 94 93 92 91 90 91 91 91 91 91 92 92 92 92 92 91 90 90 89 89 90 91 92 93 93 92 88 83 76 70 64 60 - - - - - - - - - - -
942 942 942 942 941 941 941 941 941 942 941 941 941 940 939 939 939 938 938 938 937 937 936 935 935 934 934 934 934 934 935 935 935 935 935 935 935 936 936 937 937 937 938 938 938 938 938 938 938 938 938 938 938 939 939 940 940 940 940 940 940 939 939 938 937 936 936 935 934 933 932 930 929 928 927 927 927 927 927 927 927 927 927 926 926 926 926 926 926 926 926 926 926 926 927 927 927 927 927 927 928 928 928 929 929 930 930 930 930 930 930 929 929 929 928 928 928 928 928 928 929 929 929 929 930 930 930 931 931 930 930 931 931 931 932 933 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 939 940 941 941 942 942 943 944 944 945 945 946 946 - - - - - - - - - - -
22.1 17.5 5.2 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.1 24.1 27.7 25.3 18.4 13.3 16.9 20.7 22.7 19.9 17.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.2 5.2 2.8 1.3 6.3 5 14.1 22.6 21.7 26.7 27.4 29.8 40.8 29.4 12.9 30.4 17.8 34.9 36.2 34.6 33.1 29.3 25 22.1 23.1 24.9 8.1 16.2 12.3 9.2 9.5 9.8 13 17.6 22.2 23 23.8 24.6 22.5 20.3 18.2 20 21.8 23.6 17.4 11.1 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.3 3.7 3.1 5.6 8.1 10.6 9.7 8.7 7.8 7.1 6.5 5.8 6.5 7.1 7.7 9.9 12 14.2 12.5 10.8 9.1 9.8 10.5 11.2 11.8 12.4 13 11 9 7 7.9 8.8 9.6 9.2 8.9 8.5 8.5 8.6 8.6 7.6 6.5 5.4 4.6 3.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3 4.2 5.1 6 9.9 13.9 17.8 14.1 10.4 6.6 6.7 6.9 7 7.8 8.7 9.6 10.5 11.3 12.2 13.6 14.9 16.3 17.7 19 20.4 20.2 19.9 19.7 19.5 19.2 19 20.3 21.5 22.8 24.1 25.3 26.6 - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - 0.2 0.8 1.3 1.8 1.5 1 1.2 1.2 0.5 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.8 1.9 2.5 1.1 1.6 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 0.8 1.8 2.9 3.4 3.3 2.9 2.5 2.1 1.7 1.2 0.7 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 0.7 1.3 1.7 1.8 2 2.1 2.3 2.2 2 1.5 0.9 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.5 1.1 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.1 1.7 1.2 0.6 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.8 1.3 1.5 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.6 1.3 0.7 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.5 1 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.2 3.5 3.1 2.5 1.7 0.9 0.1 - - - - -
0 0 0 10 10 0 0 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 30 60 100 140 60 20 20 30 80 100 120 50 60 80 310 100 30 10 20 0 20 0 10 50 60 45 35 8 0 0 0 10 30 50 60 70 80 80 90 80 60 40 20 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 40 60 90 120 140 140 120 110 110 110 100 80 40 20 10 20 20 20 10 10 10 20 20 10 0 0 10 30 50 60 60 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 20 30 20 10 10 20 40 50 0 0 0 0 10 10 10 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 10 10 20 20 - - - - - - - - - - -
6.9 6.6 6.0 6.1 6.0 5.6 6.3 5.1 4.9 5.2 5.4 4.7 4.3 2.0 2.6 2.6 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.8 2.1 2.9 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.9 2.4 2.4 2.3 3.3 3.0 3.9 3.6 2.5 3.1 1.9 4.0 3.3 4.1 4.8 5.9 6.0 6.6 6.1 6.4 5.1 4.7 4.6 5.9 6.1 6.4 6.3 6.2 6.9 6.8 6.7 6.4 6.0 5.7 3.8 3.2 3.1 3.9 4.9 5.6 5.5 5.2 4.8 4.3 3.7 3.2 2.2 1.8 1.7 2.4 4.4 4.8 4.8 4.1 2.3 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 3.0 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.2 3.9 3.7 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.8 3.7 2.1 1.4 0.9 1.0 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.7 2.4 3.1 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.4 1.2 1.3 2.2 2.9 3.5 5.4 5.7 5.8 5.4 4.7 3.2 5.7 4.6 4.7 5.2 5.0 4.8 5.7 5.4 5.3 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.7 6.1 6.6 7.2 7.8 7.0 7.2 7.3 7.1 6.9 6.6 6.3 6.2 8.8 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
Best Activity Window
WeatherDuck score WeatherDuck score Wind matters most. Rain comes next. Sky only nudges it. Temperature is off by default because layers and kit change comfort.
Day average
4.0/10
Windy, dull day
Best window
06:00-09:00
avg 6.0/10
Day average: 4.0/10
Best window: 06:00-09:00 · Avg 6.0
06:00 · 6.0/10
07:00 · 5.6/10
08:00 · 6.3/10
09:00 · 5.1/10
10:00 · 4.9/10
11:00 · 5.2/10
12:00 · 5.4/10
13:00 · 4.7/10
14:00 · 4.3/10
15:00 · 2.0/10
16:00 · 2.6/10
17:00 · 2.6/10
18:00 · 1.7/10
19:00 · 2.1/10
20:00 · 2.5/10
21:00 · 2.8/10
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
What this shows
The selected day from 06:00 to 21:00, scored from 0-10. The top line gives the day average and strongest window; the bars show how conditions rise and fall through that activity window. WeatherDuck score — Wind up to 5 mph (matters a lot) · Rain none at all (matters a fair bit) · Sky At least Mostly cloudy (matters a fair bit).
Score Customiser
WeatherDuck score
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These factors shape your score — set a comfy range for each, and how much it matters. Add more from the tray, or remove ones you don't care about. The bars update instantly.

Wind
Comfy range up to 5 mph
How much it matters
matters a lot
Rain
Comfy range none at all
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
Sky
Comfy range At least Mostly cloudy
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
Temperature
Comfy range 0 – 25°C
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
Time of day
Comfy range any time of day
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
UV
Comfy range any UV level
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
Wind direction
Comfy range any direction
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
Visibility
Comfy range at least 5 km
How much it matters
matters a fair bit
Not counted — tap to add
Day briefing

Fog and low cloud around at times

15° / 11° · Today · Mon 14

Spells of rain most likely in morning. South-southwesterly winds averaging around 11 mph with peaks near 19 mph, gusting to 36 mph. Temperatures range from 11C to 15C, trending warmer later with largely cloudy skies. Watch for some visibility reduction from fog or mist.

2.6 mm
Rain total
19 mph SSW
Wind max
gusts 36 mph
1.8
UV max
peak 12:00
Low
Pollen
21
Air quality
Fair
Very low
Thunder
CAPE 20
Atmosphere
Cloud avg 94%
Freezing level 3,410 mup to 4,200 m
Fog risk Possible2 hrs forecast
Sun & Moon
06:42 / 19:31
Sun ↑↓
12 h 48 m
Daylight
11:04 / 20:01
Moon ↑↓
Waxing Crescent
Moon phase
6% lit
Live rain radar
LIVE
Loading radar…
--:--
Light Moderate Heavy
Radar data by RainViewer
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Ground conditions
Is it muddy out there?
A free account unlocks the local dryness verdict. No payment details.
0 mm
Last 24 h
34.9 mm
Last 7 days
Measured at Keswick Sewage rain gauge, 7.4 km away
Create a free account
Rain gauges and totals stay free for everyone
What to wear
Light showers possible and gusty winds; wind protection essential.
LayerItemMaterialWhy
Base Moisture-wicking top Merino wool or synthetic; avoid cotton A good standard choice in most conditions
Mid Light fleece Micro-fleece or lightweight synthetic; down OK (light rain only) 15°C with mild, windy insulation
Outer Windproof shell Hardshell or softshell; wind protection is the priority today 19 mph, gusts 36 mph
Lower Walking trousers Quick-dry, stretch; waterproof trousers in the pack just in case Light drizzle, so walking trousers should cope
Feet Walking boots Standard boots, good grip on mixed terrain Standard conditions
Extras Hat, gloves, gaiters Pack spare mid-layer, buff/neck gaiter Gusts 36 mph, wind chill
Layer up. Plan to wear the main protection from the start.
Wear from the start 5 pieces
Add before you go Weather protection

Tap an item to see why

Essential Recommended Guidance

Guidance based on the forecast, not professional safety advice. Always use your own judgement. BMC layering guide →

Inversion Outlook Forecast source Met Office Seamless
UKV 2 km with UKMO Global fallback
Likelihood labels describe the model signal, not an exact percentage chance.
Morning 00:00–12:00 · Afternoon 12:00–00:00
Up to two qualifying hours before midnight join the next morning.
Lake District, Howgills & Eden Valley region
Unlikely
Monday morning BEST
No clear window yet.
MON MORNING
No clear window
Unlikely
MON AFTERNOON
No clear window
Unlikely
Tap a period for detail
Key Factors What we look for

Our inversion forecast combines five weather factors and how long favourable conditions are expected to last.

S1 · Inversion
Warm air sitting above cooler valley air — the essential ingredient for a cloud sea.
S2 · Moist Below
Whether the valley air is damp enough to form and hold cloud.
S3 · Moisture Contrast
A sharp boundary between the cloudy valley and the dry air above it.
S4 · Clear Above
Clear, dry air above the cloud layer — the better this is, the cleaner the summit views.
S5 · Wind Calm
Light winds at low levels to keep the inversion intact and the cloud sea flat.
Duration
How long the conditions hold — a sustained event gives more time to get above the clouds.
Temperature lid
0%
Valley moisture
38%
Layer contrast
0%
Summit clarity
0%
Wind speed
0%
Duration
0h
No temperature inversion detected
Marginal moisture below
No moisture contrast, diffuse profile
Saturated above, no clear cap
Too windy, mixing likely
No sustained favourable window
Create Free Account for 1 Alert
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Cloud Inversion Heatmap About this map A shaded area means several nearby locations agree — amber for possible, green for likely, blue for very likely. The bands always sit inside one another, so stronger signals appear more solid.
The purple dot marks your location.
Drag the timeline to see how the chance changes through the night.
Atmospheric Profile · Keswick · 83 m
Loading… Timeline
Atmospheric profile data for Blencathra,GB
Surface Pressure

Humidity at Pressure Levels

Higher humidity means the air is closer to saturation.

Temperature at Pressure Levels

Warmer air above cooler air can indicate an inversion.

All heights shown equally.

Golden Hour
Today
DARKNESS
DAYLIGHT
05:57
06:22
06:42 Sunrise
07:02
07:27
Golden Hour · 40 min
Be at your summit by 06:22
Allow time to set up before the light show begins.
Monthly Inversion Chance
Illustrative relative chance by season
Illustrative — typical UK pattern
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
~2 proper inversion days per year. Mostly late autumn to spring.

Cloud inversions explained

What is a cloud inversion near Blencathra, Cumbria?

A cloud inversion happens when cool, moist air becomes trapped in valleys beneath warmer air above. If the trapped moisture turns into fog or low cloud, the hills can rise through it into clearer air and sunshine. From a summit, the result can look like a wide sea of cloud with only the higher peaks visible.

The best chance near Blencathra, Cumbria is a calm, settled night with moist valley air, a warm lid above and clearer, drier air over the tops. The bands on this page, from Unlikely to Very likely, describe the strength of that overall signal rather than a percentage promise, so always check timing, estimated cloud height and wind before setting off.

How to read this page. The headline outlook covers the surrounding region. Key Factors and the Atmospheric Profile describe the nearest available atmospheric profile.

Read the full UK cloud inversion guide See how WeatherDuck forecasts inversions
Tonight's Stargazing
0
Very poor conditions Skies look closed in — best to wait it out.
Waxing Crescent Moon Waxing Crescent 11%
Overcast Cloud Cover Overcast 100%
Moon Times Rise 11:04 · Set 20:01
Sky Clarity 3 km Mist possible
Lunar Day Day 3.1
Light Pollution View map ↓
Tonight's Aurora
Aurora & Solar Wind NOAA
4.7 Planetary Kp Very Low
Wind Speed 290 km/s
Bz -1.5 nT
Density 1.0 p/cm³
Bt 4.1 nT
No significant aurora activity expected tonight.

Nightly Outlook

Tonight · 14 Sep

Waxing Crescent · 11% illuminated

0/100
No good window tonight 100% cloud cover all night
Moon height above horizon Daylight
18:00–10:00 next morning
Moonset 20:01 Sunset 19:31Sunrise 06:44
Every hour in detail
Hours after midnight are the following morning.
HourCloud coverMoon
18:00 91% Above horizon
19:00 95% Above horizon
20:00 99% Below horizon
21:00 100% Below horizon
22:00 100% Below horizon
23:00 100% Below horizon
00:00 100% Below horizon
01:00 100% Below horizon
02:00 100% Below horizon
03:00 100% Below horizon
04:00 100% Below horizon
05:00 99% Below horizon
06:00 97% Below horizon
07:00 95% Below horizon
08:00 96% Below horizon
09:00 93% Below horizon
Highest moon 12° at 18:00 Lunar day 3.1

Aurora Kp · 3-Day Forecast

NOAA SWPC · 3-hourly
Higher Kp = stronger geomagnetic activity = better aurora chances. For UK observers, Kp 4+ means aurora is possible from N. Scotland; Kp 5+ brings it across the whole UK.
Today
Mon 14 Sep
Unsettled
Peak Kp 3.7 at 03:00 UTC
Slightly unsettled — minor activity, no aurora expected.
9630
3.7 · 03:00
0003060912151821
Tomorrow
Tue 15 Sep
Unsettled
Peak Kp 3.7 at 03:00 UTC
Slightly unsettled — minor activity, no aurora expected.
9630
3.7 · 03:00
0003060912151821
Wed 16
Wed 16 Sep
Unsettled
Peak Kp 4.7 at 21:00 UTC
Faint aurora possible from N. Scotland.
9630
4.7 · 21:00
0003060912151821
Aurora Forecast Map
NOAA OVATION Aurora Forecast
Global — OVATION Model
UK Focus
Your Night Sky
Meteor Showers
Coming up this year
Orionids Oct 21
Oct 2 – Nov 7
Fast, with persistent trains.
Leonids Nov 17
Nov 6 – Nov 30
Occasional storms. Fast, bright.
Geminids Dec 14
Dec 4 – Dec 20
Best of the year. Bright, multi-coloured.
Earlier this year
Quadrantids Jan 4
Jan 1 – Jan 6
Strong, short-lived peak. Bright fireballs.
Lyrids Apr 22
Apr 16 – Apr 25
Sparse, sometimes glowing trails.
Eta Aquariids May 6
Apr 19 – May 28
Best before dawn. Fast meteors.
Delta Aquariids Jul 30
Jul 12 – Aug 23
Steady rates, faint. Best late night.
Perseids Aug 12
Jul 17 – Aug 24
Bright, reliable. Best summer shower.
Light Pollution Map
Understanding the stargazing score

The stargazing score combines cloud cover and moon illumination to estimate how good conditions are for observing the night sky. Cloud cover is the dominant factor — even the darkest location is useless under heavy cloud.

The Bortle scale measures light pollution from 1 (pristine dark sky) to 9 (inner-city sky). In the UK, the best accessible sites reach Bortle 2 to 3, found in areas like Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, parts of the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, and the Scottish Highlands. At Bortle 3, the Milky Way is clearly visible and dozens of deep-sky objects are observable with binoculars.

Moon phase matters: A new moon (0% illumination) provides the darkest sky. A full moon floods the sky with light, washing out everything except planets and the brightest stars. The best stargazing combines a new or thin crescent moon with clear skies.

Practical tips: Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to dark-adapt after arriving at your spot. Avoid looking at phone screens (use a red-light torch instead). The hours after midnight are often best, as the atmosphere settles and any remaining cloud may clear.

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