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Lochinver, Highland

58.15°N, 5.24°W · ~5m · 07:01 – 19:26
Updated 20:23
Temp
12°C
↓ 0.1 / 1hr
Wind
7.8
↓ 0.7 / 1hr
Condition
Overcast
Overcast
Score
5.9
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
Sun 20 Sep Mon 21 Sep Tue 22 Sep Wed 23 Sep Thu 24 Sep Fri 25 Sep Sat 26 Sep Sun 27 Sep
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 Overcast Overcast Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Light drizzle Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Mostly cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Mostly cloudy Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Dense drizzle Moderate rain Moderate rain Light drizzle Overcast Mostly sunny Sunny intervals Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Partly cloudy near sunset Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Partly cloudy near sunset Mostly clear Mostly clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Mostly clear Mostly cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Moderate rain Moderate rain Moderate rain Moderate rain Moderate rain with clear spells Moderate rain with clear spells Mostly clear Mostly clear Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Mostly clear Mostly clear around sunrise Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate drizzle Moderate rain Moderate rain with clear spells Moderate rain with clear spells Moderate rain with clear spells Moderate rain with clear spells Moderate rain with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Moderate drizzle with clear spells Clear Clear Clear Mostly clear around sunrise Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light drizzle Light 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
- - - - - - - - - 0.1 0.1 - - 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 1 2.5 1.4 0.4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - - - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 2 2 2 1.6 1.6 1.6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 - - - - - - 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
10% 10% 10% 15% 15% 15% 10% 10% 10% 80% 85% 25% 30% 90% 30% 30% 30% 35% 35% 35% 30% 30% 30% 25% 30% 30% 10% 30% 30% 25% 30% 15% 20% 30% 85% 100% 100% 100% 95% 40% 20% 20% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 10% 10% 10% 20% 20% 25% 20% 20% 15% 15% 80% 85% 85% 20% 10% 5% 10% 10% 10% 70% 70% 70% 15% 10% 10% 10% 10% 15% 20% 20% 20% 20% 30% 30% 20% 15% 10% 10% 15% 20% 65% 65% 65% 65% 65% 65% 90% 100% 100% 95% 90% 75% 30% 15% 15% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 55% 55% 60% 70% 70% 75% 95% 90% 85% 80% 90% 90% 70% 65% 55% 25% 0% 0% 0% 10% 15% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70%
 
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W WSW WSW SW WSW SSW SSW S SSE SSE ESE SE SSE SSE SSW SSW SSW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SSW SSW SSW SSW SW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW W W SW SW SW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW SW SW SW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SW SW SW SW SW SW WSW WSW WSW WSW WSW W W W W W W W WSW WSW SSW S SE SE SE ESE SE SE SE SE SSE SSE SSE SSE SSE SSE SSE S S SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW SSW
8 7 5 5 5 6 6 5 5 6 4 6 7 7 12 14 14 14 14 14 13 13 12 11 15 15 15 14 13 15 14 13 15 14 14 15 5 5 6 9 12 13 12 12 12 11 9 8 8 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 9 10 11 11 11 10 11 11 11 11 9 8 7 6 6 5 4 4 3 4 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 19 21 23 23 21 19 16 15 15 15 17 19 21 22 23 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 20 19 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 21 20 19 18
16 15 12 10 12 12 12 11 11 13 9 14 14 14 25 27 28 28 29 28 26 26 24 23 30 31 30 29 26 31 28 28 31 28 29 30 11 11 13 17 22 25 24 23 23 20 15 12 11 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 13 16 18 18 18 18 19 20 20 19 17 14 13 11 9 8 6 5 5 5 6 8 9 11 14 16 19 20 22 24 26 30 33 36 38 39 36 31 27 25 24 25 27 31 35 37 38 39 40 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 40 40 40 39 39 39 38 38 37 36 36 37 37 36 36 36 36 36 36 34 33 32 37 37 38 38 38 37 37 37 36 35 34 33 32 30
 
74 75 84 85 83 86 86 84 81 78 84 85 88 91 91 93 93 95 97 96 93 90 90 89 91 92 85 88 90 89 89 88 86 88 88 95 98 97 97 92 88 81 72 70 71 74 76 83 86 89 91 91 90 89 88 87 87 89 91 91 86 79 74 73 74 75 75 76 77 78 80 82 85 89 92 95 98 99 99 98 95 88 79 71 66 62 61 65 73 78 79 78 78 82 88 91 90 88 86 86 86 86 84 82 80 79 78 77 76 74 73 71 69 69 71 74 77 81 84 87 88 87 87 87 88 88 87 85 84 83 83 82 81 80 80 84 84 85 86 86 87 87 88 88 88 89 89 89 89
1025 1025 1026 1026 1026 1026 1026 1025 1025 1024 1024 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1024 1023 1024 1024 1024 1024 1023 1023 1023 1022 1022 1022 1021 1021 1021 1021 1022 1023 1024 1024 1025 1025 1025 1025 1025 1025 1026 1026 1026 1026 1026 1026 1025 1025 1025 1024 1024 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1023 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1024 1023 1023 1022 1021 1020 1019 1018 1017 1016 1015 1013 1012 1010 1008 1007 1006 1005 1004 1004 1004 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1006 1006 1006 1006 1006 1006 1006 1006 1006 1005 1005 1005 1004 1004 1004 1004 1004 1004 1005 1005 1006 1007 1007 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1007 1007 1007 1007 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008 1008
49.4 49 41.7 41.7 42.5 40.5 38.9 38.8 45.6 19.4 32.3 39.4 31.8 21.4 20.5 17.1 17.1 13.6 10.8 16.7 22.8 25.3 26.3 26.8 24.8 26.8 35 32.1 29.1 31.8 33.1 33.9 35.5 33.2 15 6.4 6.4 8.8 36.1 41 40.4 40.9 41.1 39.3 38.9 34.9 32.5 27.2 22.4 21.2 20 20.4 20.7 21.1 21.4 21.7 22 17.1 12.2 7.4 13.5 19.5 25.6 21.7 17.8 13.8 12.4 10.9 9.5 11.8 14 16.3 16.7 17.1 17.5 14.2 10.8 7.4 10.5 13.5 16.5 19.7 22.8 25.9 26.3 26.6 26.9 20 13 6.1 5.4 4.8 4.2 3.6 3.1 2.6 9.2 15.9 22.6 22.6 22.5 22.5 23.1 23.7 24.3 23.3 22.2 21.1 22.7 24.2 25.7 24.3 22.8 21.4 21.1 20.7 20.4 16.7 13.1 9.5 12.3 15.2 18 17.9 17.7 17.6 18.6 19.7 20.8 21.4 21.9 22.5 22.7 22.8 23 20.6 18.2 15.8 16.5 17.1 17.8 18.5 19.2 19.9 19.1 18.4 17.6 16.9 16.1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.2 1 1.6 1.3 1.9 1.4 0.8 0.4 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.8 1.3 1.8 2.2 2.4 2.3 2 1.6 1.2 0.7 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.7 1.1 1.5 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.6 1.3 0.7 0.4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.5 1.3 2.1 2.7 3.2 3.3 3 2.4 1.7 0.9 0.4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.5 1.1 1.6 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.3 0.6 - - - - - -
10 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 20 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 40 70 140 140 100 110 100 90 60 50 50 50 60 80 100 110 110 110 100 100 100 90 60 30 20 50 100 140 150 150 140 110 60 30 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 10 20 40 100 170 220 220 200 180 170 160 150 120 80 60 60 80 100 120 140 150 120 70 60 110 200 250 220 160 110 100 100 100 90 70 50 30 20 20 100 110 120 120 120 120 110 110 100 90 90 80 80 70
5.8 6.1 6.8 7.1 6.8 6.7 7.9 8.1 8.1 6.5 7.2 6.3 6.3 6.2 4.1 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.1 3.4 3.9 3.8 4.1 4.4 2.9 2.6 4.2 4.4 3.9 2.7 3.4 4.6 2.6 3.4 3.1 2.2 5.1 5.9 6.3 5.6 4.4 5.1 5.3 5.6 5.6 6.2 7.0 7.6 7.7 8.0 6.9 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.9 6.7 6.1 5.4 4.9 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.1 6.0 5.9 6.2 6.7 7.2 7.6 7.9 8.2 8.5 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 8.5 8.1 6.5 6.0 5.4 5.0 4.6 4.3 3.8 3.1 2.3 1.6 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.6 3.5 3.7 3.6 4.1 3.2 2.4 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.5 1.6 1.6 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.4 2.9 3.0 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.6 2.9 3.2
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
5.9/10
Windy, dull day
Best window
20:00-22:00
avg 5.9/10
Day average: 5.9/10
Best window: 20:00-22:00 · Avg 5.9
06:00 · Past
07:00 · Past
08:00 · Past
09:00 · Past
10:00 · Past
11:00 · Past
12:00 · Past
13:00 · Past
14:00 · Past
15:00 · Past
16:00 · Past
17:00 · Past
18:00 · Past
19:00 · Past
20:00 · 5.8/10
21:00 · 6.1/10
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

Overcast

13° / 11° · Today · Sun 20

Light showers most likely in morning and midday. Westerly winds averaging around 15 mph with peaks near 20 mph, gusting to 39 mph. Temperatures range from 11C to 13C with largely cloudy skies.

0.8 mm
Rain total
20 mph W
Wind max
gusts 39 mph
1.4
UV max
peak 11:00
Low
Pollen
Grass
28
Air quality
Fair
Very low
Thunder
CAPE 150
Atmosphere
Cloud avg 93%
Freezing level 1,480 mup to 3,030 m
Fog risk Low
Sun & Moon
07:01 / 19:26
Sun ↑↓
12 h 25 m
Daylight
17:56 / 23:45
Moon ↑↓
Waxing Gibbous
Moon phase
66% lit
Live rain radar
LIVE
Loading radar…
--:--
Light Moderate Heavy
Radar data by RainViewer
Is it muddy out there? 6.6 mm last 24 h · free account unlocks the verdict Sign up →
Ground conditions
Is it muddy out there?
A free account unlocks the local dryness verdict. No payment details.
6.6 mm
Last 24 h
81.6 mm
Last 7 days
Measured at Little Assynt rain gauge, 5.8 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) 13°C with mild, windy insulation
Outer Windproof shell Hardshell or softshell; wind protection is the priority today 20 mph, gusts 39 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 39 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 →

Essential Recommended
This is general guidance based on forecast data, 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. Northwest & North Highlands region
Unlikely
Sunday afternoon BEST
No clear window yet.
SUN AFTERNOON
No clear window
Unlikely
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
100%
Layer contrast
0%
Summit clarity
0%
Wind speed
0%
Duration
0h
No temperature inversion detected
Valley air moist enough
No moisture contrast, diffuse profile
Saturated above, no clear cap
Too windy, mixing likely
No sustained favourable window
Create Free Account for 1 Alert
Loading…
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.
Very likely Likely Possible
Atmospheric Profile · Lochinver · 5 m
Loading… Timeline
Atmospheric profile data for Lochinver,GB
Surface Pressure

Humidity at Pressure Levels

Tap heights to compare both charts.

Higher humidity means the air is closer to saturation.

Temperature at Pressure Levels

Tap heights to compare both charts.

Warmer air above cooler air can indicate an inversion.

All heights shown equally.

Golden Hour
Today
DARKNESS
DAYLIGHT
06:16
06:41
07:01 Sunrise
07:21
07:46
Golden Hour · 40 min
Be at your summit by 06:41
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 Lochinver, Highland?

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 Lochinver, Highland 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
5
Very poor conditions Skies look closed in — best to wait it out.
Waxing Gibbous Moon Waxing Gibbous 68%
Overcast Cloud Cover Overcast 94%
Moon Times Rise 17:56 · Set 23:45
Sky Clarity 40 km Clear
Lunar Day Day 9.1
Light Pollution View map ↓
Tonight's Aurora
Aurora & Solar Wind NOAA
1.7 Planetary Kp Very Low
Wind Speed 371 km/s
Bz 1.9 nT
Density 2.0 p/cm³
Bt 4.1 nT
No significant aurora activity expected tonight.
Observed 19:13 UTC · cached 5 min

Nightly Outlook

Tonight · 20 Sep

Waxing Gibbous · 68% illuminated

4/100
No good window tonight 92% cloud cover all night
Moon height above horizon Daylight
18:00–10:00 next morning
Moonset 23:45 Sunset 19:26Sunrise 07:03
Every hour in detail
Hours after midnight are the following morning.
HourCloud coverMoon
18:00 100% Below horizon
19:00 100% Above horizon
20:00 100% Above horizon
21:00 100% Above horizon
22:00 100% Above horizon
23:00 100% Above horizon
00:00 100% Below horizon
01:00 93% Below horizon
02:00 75% Below horizon
03:00 77% Below horizon
04:00 84% Below horizon
05:00 96% Below horizon
06:00 100% Below horizon
07:00 100% Below horizon
08:00 100% Below horizon
09:00 100% Below horizon
Highest moon 7° at 21:00 Lunar day 9.1

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
Sun 20 Sep
Unsettled
Peak Kp 3.0 at 03:00 UTC
Slightly unsettled — minor activity, no aurora expected.
9630
3.0 · 03:00
0003060912151821
Tomorrow
Mon 21 Sep
Quiet
Peak Kp 2.0 at 03:00 UTC
No aurora expected — geomagnetic field calm.
9630
2.0 · 03:00
0003060912151821
Tue 22
Tue 22 Sep
Quiet
Peak Kp 1.7 at 00:00 UTC
No aurora expected — geomagnetic field calm.
9630
1.7 · 00:00
0003060912151821
Aurora Forecast Map
NOAA OVATION Aurora Forecast
Global — OVATION Model
UK Focus
NOAA OVATION Model • Auto-refreshed
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.

Ground dryness Free with an account

Dry paths or muddy boots?

See how wet the ground is around Lochinver before you set off.

Your local ground report

SaturatedBone dry
  • Local ground dryness
  • Moisture below the surface
  • Recent conditions and what’s ahead

Rainfall & rain gauges Nearby observations

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Rain in 24h—
Rain in 7 days—
Last rain—

Rainfall over the last 7 days

4-hour totals

Last reading —

Observed rainForecast estimateLast readingNow

Nearby rain gauges

Active · dry 24hWet 24hDelayedYour location

Select a gauge to see its rainfall. Your ground estimate stays centred on Lochinver.

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Explore more forecasts around Ullapool, Assynt & the far north.

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Planning aid, not a safety service. Check official warnings before you go.