Is it safe to climb Kinder Scout today and tomorrow?

Today on Kinder Scout is rated Marginal and tomorrow Marginal, from the summit forecast. Summit forecast updated 19:10, 18 Oct. The reasons are below, followed by what the rating can't tell you.

Is it safe to climb Kinder Scout today?

Marginal Today Sunday 18 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 26 mph, gusting 32 mph. That is past the Marginal line (wind 25 mph or gusts 45 mph): expect to be pushed about on ridges and the summit.
• Rain: 94% chance of rain, about 0.3 mm in all. A 60% chance or more makes the day Marginal on its own: wet rock is slippery and wet kit chills you faster.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 54% and humidity 84% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 7°C at the summit, down to 3°C, feeling as cold as -1°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:40, sunset 18:05: 10h 25m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 3h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Kinder Scout tomorrow?

Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 35 mph, gusting 44 mph. That is past the Marginal line (wind 25 mph or gusts 45 mph): expect to be pushed about on ridges and the summit.
• Rain: 100% chance of rain, about 6.5 mm in all. A 60% chance or more makes the day Marginal on its own: wet rock is slippery and wet kit chills you faster.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 91% and humidity 95% at summit height. Air that close to saturation means the top is likely to be in cloud, so plan to navigate by map and compass. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 9°C at the summit, down to 5°C, feeling as cold as -1°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:41, sunset 18:03: 10h 21m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 3h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

What the verdict covers, and what it doesn't

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. That is all it measures: the weather forecast at the summit.

It does not know your fitness or experience, whether you can navigate in cloud with a map and compass, or what you are carrying. It does not see the state of the path, river levels, snow and ice already on the ground, or how the forecast is changing during the day. A Good day can still go wrong if you start late, turn an ankle or lose the path in mist, and a Marginal day can be fine for an experienced party on the easiest route.

On any day, carry waterproofs, warm layers, a hat and gloves, food, water, a head torch and a charged phone, and know how you would navigate if the top is in cloud. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be down. In winter conditions you need an ice axe and crampons and the skill to use them, or a guide.

Route notes for Kinder Scout

Edale via Jacob's Ladder

From Edale village car park. You follow the Pennine Way along the valley to Upper Booth, climb Jacob's Ladder and walk to Kinder Low. Graded Moderate: a hill path, rough or rocky in places, below the Hard and Scramble grades. In cloud, take care to stay on the path. About 3h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (6.3 km one way, 419 m of ascent).

Hayfield via William Clough

From Bowden Bridge car park, Hayfield. A track passes Kinder Reservoir and climbs William Clough to the western edge, then south to Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low. Graded Moderate: a hill path, rough or rocky in places, below the Hard and Scramble grades. In cloud, take care to stay on the path. About 2h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (4.5 km one way, 427 m of ascent).

Edale via Grindsbrook Clough

From Edale village car park. A path climbs into the ravine of Grindsbrook and scrambles up rocks at its head onto the plateau edge. Graded Scramble: hands-on rock. Wind and wet rock make a scramble far more serious than its grade, so it is the first route to drop on a Marginal or Poor day. About 3h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (7.0 km one way, 402 m of ascent).

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Kinder Scout routes page.

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Mountain rescue teams in the UK are volunteers called out through the police. Give your location (a grid reference from a map or phone app if you can), what has happened, how many are in your group and your phone number, then keep the phone free. If you have no signal, try to move to higher ground or text 999; you need to have registered your phone with the emergencySMS service before for a text to work.

Questions about Kinder Scout

Is it safe to climb Kinder Scout today?

Today, Sunday 18 October: light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 94% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. The rating covers the summit weather only; your route, kit and experience matter as much.

Is it safe to climb Kinder Scout tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Monday 19 October: slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.

How does Peakify decide whether Kinder Scout is safe to climb?

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. It does not judge your fitness, kit, navigation or the state of the path.

Who do I call in an emergency on Kinder Scout?

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (a grid reference if you can), what happened and how many are in your group. Stay with the casualty and keep them warm.