Is it safe to climb Y Garn (Snowdonia) today and tomorrow?

Today on Y Garn is rated Good and tomorrow Poor, 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 Y Garn 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 26% and humidity 81% 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 5°C at the summit, down to -1°C, feeling as cold as -4°C in the wind. Below freezing at the summit, so expect ice on rock and paths, especially early.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14: 10h 26m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Y Garn tomorrow?

Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 43 mph, gusting 54 mph. That is past the Poor line (wind 40 mph or gusts 65 mph), when walking on exposed ground is hard and a fall more likely.
• Rain: 90% chance of rain, about 1.5 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 58% and humidity 89% 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 6°C at the summit, down to 3°C, feeling as cold as -2°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12: 10h 22m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 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 Y Garn

Ogwen via Llyn Clyd

From Ogwen Cottage car park. A path towards Llyn Idwal, then up the steep north-east ridge past Llyn Clyd. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 3h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (4.4 km one way, 741 m of ascent).

North East Ridge

From Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 2h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (2.6 km one way, 640 m of ascent).

Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du

From Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 2h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (4.3 km one way, 670 m of ascent).

Llwybr y Carw / Afon Las

From Gwastadnant / Afon Las public footpath entrance. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Gwastadnant / Afon Las public footpath entrance. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 2h 45m there and back by Naismith's rule (3.6 km one way, 800 m of ascent).

Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch

From Nant Peris public approach lane. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Nant Peris public approach lane. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground.

Marchlyn via Elidir Fawr and Mynydd Perfedd

From Marchlyn public road end (SH596631). A hard mountain walk to the summit from Marchlyn public road end (SH596631). Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 4h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (7.6 km one way, 870 m of ascent).

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Y Garn 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 Y Garn

Is it safe to climb Y Garn today?

Today, Sunday 18 October: overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°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 Y Garn tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Monday 19 October: moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 54 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor.

How does Peakify decide whether Y Garn 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 Y Garn?

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.