September is a trickster. One minute it’s sunshine and shadows dancing across the hills, and the next it’s dark clouds, heavy showers and cold winds blasting in. After such a warm, dry summer, it’s tempting to wait only for calm, sunny days to get outdoors and hide away when it’s wet or windy.
But what if the weather wasn’t something to endure, but part of the adventure? Each element brings its own atmosphere, its own gift, and if you step into it, you’ll discover a deeper connection to the outdoors.
If the sun shines
Sunny September days feel like a gift, especially when they carry the lingering warmth of summer. Take advantage of them with a long hike, a cycle along your favourite trail, or a paddle on calm waters. The sun is gentler now, casting golden light across fields and trees as leaves turn to rust and amber. Bright sunny days are fewer now, and all the more precious for it.
If it rains
Rain makes many of us want to duck indoors with a hot cuppa, but lean into it and joy is waiting. Walking in the woods takes on new drama under a drumming canopy, and trail runs or bike rides through puddles turn childlike and fun. Even swimming in the rain has its own magic; water on water, sky and loch blurring together. After rain, the world feels sharper. Earthy scents rise, leaves gleam, and everything sparkles anew. And when you get home, there’s nothing better than drying off and coorie’ing in.
If the wind howls
The wind is the most unyielding of elements, it demands attention. But instead of fighting it, use it. Fly a kite in an open field, take to the coast for exhilarating sailing or windsurfing, or walk a ridge and feel the air sweep around you. Laugh as it tugs at your jacket, or head to the shore and watch waves crash with wild energy. Nothing makes you feel smaller, or more alive, than the roar of the sea in a high wind.
If the fog rolls in
Fog transforms the familiar into the magical. A path you’ve walked a hundred times feels strange and new when cloaked in grey. It’s perfect weather for a slower wander, for photography that captures the eerie beauty, or for a quiet forest walk where every sound is amplified. Let yourself enjoy the sense of stepping into another world.
If the night is clear
As the days shorten, the stars arrive earlier. Find a dark spot, bring a blanket or a flask, and settle in for stargazing. September skies often reveal the Milky Way, and this year’s new moon on the 21st promises especially dark skies. Night hikes, evening paddles, or simply lying back and watching for shooting stars can all make the most of clear nights. There’s something grounding about standing under the vastness of the sky — a reminder of how small and yet connected we are.
Don’t wait for blue skies and calm conditions, especially now that they are no longer in abundance. Stay open to whatever the day brings. Every type of weather carries its own gifts: joy, energy, mystery, perspective.
The reward is simple: you come back not just with muddy boots or windswept hair, but with a deeper connection to the outdoors and to yourself. By letting the weather lead, you free yourself from the idea that only certain conditions are “good enough.”
So the next time you’re dithering at the door, don’t scroll the forecast hoping for perfection. Step outside, spin the wheel, and let September surprise you.
Sunday Inspiration
Favourite book
The Secret World of Weather by Tristan Gooley
This isn’t just a book about forecasts — it’s about learning the hidden signs in clouds, winds, and raindrops. Far from wishing for endless sunshine, you’ll find yourself hoping for a bit of drama in the skies, just so you can put your new weather-watching skills to the test.
Favourite Quote
Favourite Song
Have You Ever Seen the Rain - Creedance Clearwater Revival
This classic captures the beauty of weather as a mood, the inevitable rain and the calm after. It reminds us that even grey skies have their own kind of magic, and that sometimes the best adventures happen when the weather isn’t perfect.
