Is it safe to climb Pen-y-ghent today and tomorrow?

Today on Pen-y-ghent is rated Marginal and tomorrow Marginal, from the summit forecast. Summit forecast updated 19:12, 18 Oct. The reasons are below, followed by what the rating can't tell you.

Is it safe to climb Pen-y-ghent today?

Marginal Today Sunday 18 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 26 mph, gusting 33 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: 4% chance of rain, about 0 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 29% 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 2°C, feeling as cold as -2°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:42, sunset 18:05: 10h 22m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 3h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Pen-y-ghent tomorrow?

Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 34 mph, gusting 43 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: 92% chance of rain, about 3.5 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 76% and humidity 92% 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 9°C at the summit, down to 4°C, feeling as cold as -2°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:44, sunset 18:03: 10h 18m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 3h 5m 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 Pen-y-ghent

Horton via Brackenbottom

From Horton in Ribblesdale village car park. A walled lane climbs to the southern ridge, then rocky steps lead up the nose to the summit wall. 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 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (3.9 km one way, 459 m of ascent).

Horton via Hull Pot

From Horton in Ribblesdale village car park. The Pennine Way follows a walled track past Hull Pot, then climbs west slopes to the summit. 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 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (5.8 km one way, 465 m of ascent).

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Pen-y-ghent 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 Pen-y-ghent

Is it safe to climb Pen-y-ghent today?

Today, Sunday 18 October: partly cloudy, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 33 mph, 4% 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 Pen-y-ghent tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Monday 19 October: slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 43 mph, 92% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.

How does Peakify decide whether Pen-y-ghent 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 Pen-y-ghent?

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.