Is it safe to climb Whernside today and tomorrow?

Today on Whernside is rated Good 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 Whernside today?

Good Today Sunday 18 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 24 mph, gusting 30 mph. That is under the Marginal line of 25 mph wind or 45 mph gusts.
• Rain: 0% chance of rain, about 0 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 31% and humidity 86% 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 1°C, feeling as cold as -3°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:05: 10h 22m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 2h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Whernside tomorrow?

Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 37 mph, gusting 46 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: 39% chance of rain, about 5 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 72% 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 3°C, feeling as cold as -2°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:03: 10h 18m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 2h 35m 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 Whernside

Ribblehead via Blea Moor

From Ribblehead (roadside parking near the viaduct). A track passes the viaduct and Blea Moor signal box, then climbs past Force Gill onto the ridge and south 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 2h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule (4.5 km one way, 454 m of ascent).

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Whernside 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 Whernside

Is it safe to climb Whernside today?

Today, Sunday 18 October: overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. The rating covers the summit weather only; your route, kit and experience matter as much.

Is it safe to climb Whernside tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Monday 19 October: slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 37 mph gusting 46 mph, 39% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.

How does Peakify decide whether Whernside 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 Whernside?

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.