1,044 m summit in Eryri (Snowdonia). 7 forecast days covering wind, cloud, rain and temperature, updated 18 October 2026 at 15:31 UTC.
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Confidence: Medium
Overall hill weather38Poor
Summit wind · 08:00-17:0020-35 mph southeasterlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0040-50 mphFeels like-6 to -2°CPrecipitationLittle or noneCloud-free summit estimate50%Cloud base through day600-1,600 mFreezing levelAbove summitDaylightSunrise 07:49 · Sunset 18:12 · 10.4 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A poor day on the tops of Carnedd Dafydd, with strong, gusty winds.
Wind
On the summit expect a south-easterly wind of around 25–35 mph first thing, easing to 20–30 mph by mid-afternoon, with gusts of 40–50 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by early afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m around midday. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views whenever the tops come out of the cloud.
Rain and ground
It should stay dry.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.
Daylight
Sunset is around 6:10pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
There is some disagreement between forecast models on wind strength. Things could still change through the day, so keep an eye on the sky.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 5.3 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
PoorSummit winds around 25-35 mph. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges.
20
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
MixedSummit winds around 25-35 mph in the early afternoon, easing to 20-30 mph later. Gusts around 35-45 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later.
57
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind: gusts of about 30 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Monday 19 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the southeast. It should stay dry. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 4°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Clear spells may allow a view of the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 19 Oct, 17:00 BST to 20 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m85 · promising
Wind / gust
12 mph / 23 mph
Typical / low
6.6°C / 6.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
14 mph / 27 mph
Typical / low
6.6°C / 6.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
900 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
17 mph / 32 mph
Typical / low
4.5°C / 4.1°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 4°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 40–50 mph.Poor0View detailsHide details
Generic exposed-rock guidance
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock should be drying, but damp patches, shaded holds and drainage lines may still be wet. Gusts of 40–50 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceDamp or dryingPeak gust40-50 mphRainPossible · 72%
Main factorsgusts of 40–50 mphdamp or incompletely dried rock possiblemuch of the route may be in cloud
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Night beginning 2026-10-19. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Good sky conditions during the best available spell: 19 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST.
Mostly clear.
Moon-free dark sky: 20 Oct, 00:25 BST to 05:55 BST.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
19 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
19 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
19 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST
Good sky conditions
Mostly clear.
19 Oct, 23:00 BST to 20 Oct, 00:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
20 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
20 Oct, 05:00 BST to 05:55 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Gibbous moon, about 62% illuminated.
Moonset around 20 Oct, 00:25 BST.
Full darkness: 19 Oct, 20:05 BST to 20 Oct, 05:55 BST.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Monday 19 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
A good day on Carnedd Dafydd, though expect drizzle clearing by early afternoon.
Wind
On the summit expect a southerly wind of 10–20 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 15–25 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside the wind will be light, under 10 mph.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay clear of cloud all day.
Rain and ground
Drizzle at first, clearing by early afternoon. Expect 2–5 mm in total. Some forecast models keep it drier in the morning.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -4 to 0°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
Sunset is around 6:10pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
Some of the detail could still change, so have a last look at the forecast in the morning before you set off.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
MixedSummit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is possible during the morning, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.
69
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
GoodRain eases compared with the morning. Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry.
76
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain: about 8 mm of rain.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Tuesday 20 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 20 mph. Dry to pitch, then about 8 mm of rain overnight and into the morning, so expect to pack a wet tent. Overnight lows of about 5°C at 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 4°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Clear spells may allow a view of the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 20 Oct, 17:00 BST to 21 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
7 mph / 13 mph
Typical / low
8.4°C / 7.5°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
8 mph / 16 mph
Typical / low
7.8°C / 6.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
900 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
9 mph / 19 mph
Typical / low
6.5°C / 4.9°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 4°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust15-25 mphRain2.0 mm
Main concernwet rock likely
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-10-20. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 20 Oct, 23:00 BST to 21 Oct, 00:00 BST.
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Moon-free dark sky: 21 Oct, 01:40 BST to 05:55 BST.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
20 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
20 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
20 Oct, 23:00 BST to 21 Oct, 00:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times.
21 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
21 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
21 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
21 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
21 Oct, 05:00 BST to 05:55 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Gibbous moon, about 72% illuminated.
Moonset around 21 Oct, 01:40 BST.
Full darkness: 20 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21 Oct, 05:55 BST.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Tuesday 20 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
A poor day on the tops of Carnedd Dafydd, with burns likely to be in spate and sleet or snow up high.
Things to watch
Burns and rivers are likely to be in spate through much of the day and into the evening, so unbridged crossings could be difficult or impossible. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Wind
On the summit expect a north-westerly wind of 10–30 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 35–45 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 10–20 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 55–65 mph.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit in the early afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m around midday. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 400–700 m. Visibility may drop briefly in showers. Mist or fog is possible in the valleys early on, clearing by about 7am.
Rain and ground
Heavy sleet at first, clearing by mid-afternoon. Expect 10–20 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Totals are uncertain and could be higher.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
Sunset is around 6:05pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
It's still two days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
PoorSummit winds around 10-20 mph early in the morning, strengthening to 25-35 mph later. Gusts around 35-45 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is forecast during the morning, but models differ considerably on the amount.
15
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
PoorSummit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 35-45 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is forecast during the afternoon, but models differ considerably on the amount.
17
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaA mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind: gusts of about 35 mph.59Mixed · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Wednesday 21 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
A mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 35 mph around 900 m and nearer 25 mph around 300 m, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the northwest. It should stay dry. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Clear spells may allow a view of the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 21 Oct, 17:00 BST to 22 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m82 · promising
Wind / gust
10 mph / 24 mph
Typical / low
5.8°C / 5.4°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
600 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
12 mph / 29 mph
Typical / low
4.7°C / 4.5°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
900 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
14 mph / 34 mph
Typical / low
2.4°C / 1.8°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 2°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 35–45 mph.Poor0View detailsHide details
Generic exposed-rock guidance
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 35–45 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust35-45 mphRain16.2 mm
Main factorsgusts of 35–45 mphwet rock likely
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaMostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-10-21. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 21 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST.
Mostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Moon-free dark sky: 22 Oct, 03:00 BST to 06:00 BST.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
21 Oct, 20:05 BST to 21:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Mostly clear. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 Oct, 23:00 BST to 22 Oct, 00:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Forecasts disagree about rain or haze, so it could be murkier than this looks.
Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
22 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
22 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Gibbous moon, about 80% illuminated.
Moonset around 22 Oct, 03:00 BST.
Full darkness: 21 Oct, 20:05 BST to 22 Oct, 06:00 BST.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Wednesday 21 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-20 mph westerlySummit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mphFeels like-8 to -4°CPrecipitationUp to around 2 mmCloud-free summit estimate90%Cloud base through day1,100-1,700 mFreezing level900-1,200 mDaylightSunrise 07:54 · Sunset 18:05 · 10.2 hours daylight
The day on the hill
A good day on Carnedd Dafydd, though expect sleet or snow up high.
Wind
On the summit expect a westerly wind of 5–20 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay clear of cloud all day. The air should be clear too, so expect far-reaching views from the tops.
Rain and ground
Snow is possible on the tops. Drizzle at first, clearing by mid-morning. Expect up to 2 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Some forecast models keep it drier in the afternoon. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
Sunset is around 6:05pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
It's still three days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 10 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
GoodSummit winds around 5-15 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is forecast during this period.
82
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
GoodSummit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.
72
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch up around 900 m (gusts of about 45 mph and around 20 mm of rain). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground.39Poor · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Thursday 22 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
Too windy for an exposed pitch up around 900 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 45 mph around 900 m and nearer 30 mph around 300 m, enough to damage a tent on open ground. Pitch low down and in real shelter, or leave it for another night. The wind swings from southwesterly to northeasterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Dry to pitch, then a wet night, around 20 mm of rain overnight and into the morning, so expect to pack a wet tent. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 22 Oct, 17:00 BST to 23 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
14 mph / 32 mph
Typical / low
6.7°C / 4.7°C · several hours
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
600 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
17 mph / 38 mph
Typical / low
6.1°C / 2.7°C · several hours
In cloud
20% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
900 m19 · very poor
Wind / gust
20 mph / 45 mph
Typical / low
3.5°C / 1.0°C · much of the night
In cloud
27% of modelled night
Condensation
Moderate
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Icy patches are likely on the rock, which makes it treacherous without winter kit. Gusts of 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust20-30 mphRain0.2 mm
Main factorswet rock likelySnow may fall on high ground. Deposits could make summer scrambling conditions inappropriate
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaMostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-10-22. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 22 Oct, 20:00 BST to 21:00 BST.
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Moon-free dark sky: 23 Oct, 04:15 BST to 06:00 BST.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
22 Oct, 20:00 BST to 21:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 23:00 BST to 23 Oct, 00:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Gibbous moon, about 88% illuminated.
Moonset around 23 Oct, 04:15 BST.
Full darkness: 22 Oct, 20:00 BST to 23 Oct, 06:00 BST.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Thursday 22 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
A poor day on the tops of Carnedd Dafydd, with burns in severe spate and strong, gusty winds.
Things to watch
Burns and rivers are likely to be in severe spate through much of the day and into the night. Do not attempt unbridged crossings. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Wind
On the summit expect a northerly wind of 30–40 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 45–55 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 15–25 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 60–70 mph.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit mid-morning. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m early in the morning. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 300–600 m. Visibility may drop briefly in showers. It will look largely cloudy overhead, but that cloud should mostly stay above the tops.
Rain and ground
Heavy sleet at first, clearing by mid-afternoon. Expect 10–20 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Totals are uncertain and could be higher. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around -2 to 2°C, feeling like -10 to -6°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
Sunset is around 6:05pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
There is some disagreement between forecast models on wind strength. It's still four days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
Severe hill conditionsSummit winds around 30-40 mph. Gusts around 45-55 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is forecast during the morning, but models differ considerably on the amount.
-18
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
PoorSummit winds around 30-40 mph. Gusts around 45-55 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can knock you off balance, so take care near edges and on narrow ridges. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.
18
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch up around 900 m (gusts of about 45 mph). Lower down, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind.39Poor · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Friday 23 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
Too windy for an exposed pitch up around 900 m. Lower down, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the wind. Gusts reach about 45 mph around 900 m and nearer 30 mph around 300 m, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Pitch low down and in real shelter, or leave it for another night. The wind swings from northwesterly to southwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Dry to pitch, then a little rain by morning, so you'll likely pack up in the wet. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 23 Oct, 17:00 BST to 24 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m59 · mixed
Wind / gust
17 mph / 31 mph
Typical / low
5.4°C / 5.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
600 m39 · poor
Wind / gust
21 mph / 38 mph
Typical / low
4.6°C / 4.4°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
900 m19 · very poor
Wind / gust
25 mph / 44 mph
Typical / low
2.0°C / 1.5°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 2°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Snow is likely on the rock and ledges, so it becomes a winter route. Gusts of 45–55 mph are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust45-55 mphRain15.0 mm
Main factorsgusts of 45–55 mphwet rock likelySnow is likely to be lying on high ground. Scrambling may require winter mountaineering skills and equipment
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-10-23. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 24 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST.
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Moon-free dark sky: 24 Oct, 05:35 BST to 06:05 BST.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
23 Oct, 20:00 BST to 21:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
23 Oct, 23:00 BST to 24 Oct, 00:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 01:00 BST to 02:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
24 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
24 Oct, 06:00 BST to 06:05 BST
Mixed sky conditions
Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.
Forecast models disagree.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Gibbous moon, about 94% illuminated.
Moonset around 24 Oct, 05:35 BST.
Full darkness: 23 Oct, 20:00 BST to 24 Oct, 06:05 BST.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Friday 23 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
A poor day on the tops of Carnedd Dafydd, with very strong, gusty winds and rain for much of the day.
Wind
On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of 25–45 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 55–65 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 10–20 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 80–90 mph.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay mostly clear of cloud. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m in the late afternoon. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 300–600 m. Visibility may drop briefly in showers.
Rain and ground
Rain for much of the day. Expect 5–10 mm in total. Some forecast models keep it drier in the afternoon. The ground is very wet after recent rain, so expect boggy paths.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. The freezing level is above the summits. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
Sunset is around 6pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
It's still five days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 0 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
PoorSummit winds around 25-35 mph early in the morning, strengthening to 30-40 mph later. Gusts around 45-55 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period.
42
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
PoorWinds strengthen compared with the morning. Summit winds around 30-45 mph. Gusts around 55-65 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry.
21
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill: gusts of about 60 mph and about 7 mm of rain.9Poor · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Saturday 24 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 60 mph around 900 m and nearer 45 mph around 300 m, strong enough to flatten or tear a tent. Don't count on finding shelter once you're up there. Choose another night or a low, sheltered spot. Expect about 7 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold. The ground will be sodden after recent rain, so pick a firm, well-drained pitch.
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 24 Oct, 17:00 BST to 25 Oct, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m19 · very poor
Wind / gust
24 mph / 43 mph
Typical / low
7.7°C / 5.5°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Moderate
600 m9 · very poor
Wind / gust
29 mph / 51 mph
Typical / low
7.2°C / 4.9°C · a brief spell
In cloud
19% of modelled night
Condensation
High
900 m0 · very poor
Wind / gust
34 mph / 60 mph
Typical / low
4.9°C / 2.3°C · several hours
In cloud
38% of modelled night
Condensation
High
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a 3-season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 2°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.
Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 55–65 mph.Poor0View detailsHide details
Generic exposed-rock guidance
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 55–65 mph are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust55-65 mphRain5.0 mm
Main factorsgusts of 55–65 mphwet rock likely
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-10-24. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Mixed sky conditions during the best available spell: 25 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
A bright moon is up all through the dark hours, washing out fainter stars and meteors.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
24 Oct, 19:55 BST to 20:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 20:00 BST to 21:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 21:00 BST to 22:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 22:00 BST to 23:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 23:00 BST to 25 Oct, 00:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 01:00 BST to 01:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:05 GMT
Mixed sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Near-full moon, about 98% illuminated.
Moonset around 25 Oct, 06:00 GMT.
Full darkness: 24 Oct, 19:55 BST to 25 Oct, 05:05 GMT.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Saturday 24 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
A poor day on the tops of Carnedd Dafydd, with very strong, gusty winds and sleet or snow up high.
Wind
On the summit expect a westerly wind of 40–50 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 55–65 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 10–20 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 80–90 mph.
Cloud and visibility
The tops should stay clear of cloud all day.
Rain and ground
Sleet is possible on the tops, and it could turn to snow if it is a little colder. Drizzle for much of the day. Expect 2–5 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.
Warmth and kit
On the tops it will be around 0 to 4°C, feeling like -10 to -6°C in the wind. The freezing level is close to summit height. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Daylight
Sunset is around 5pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.
Forecast confidence
It's still six days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.
Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine
The surrounding model grid indicates 8.9 h of sunshine. This is not a forecast of time in sunshine on the summit. Use the cloud and views outlook above for the conditions on this mountain.
Morning · 08:00–12:00
PoorSummit winds around 40-50 mph. Gusts around 55-65 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period.
12
Afternoon · 12:00–17:00
PoorSummit winds around 40-50 mph. Gusts around 55-65 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period.
25
Compare an early start with later conditions. The main forecast above covers the day in more detail.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill: gusts of about 55 mph and about 7 mm of rain.9Poor · 600 mView detailsHide details
Night beginning Sunday 25 October 2026
Full overnight outlook
Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 55 mph around 900 m and nearer 40 mph around 300 m, strong enough to flatten or tear a tent. Don't count on finding shelter once you're up there. Choose another night or a low, sheltered spot. Expect about 7 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. A cold night, down to about 1°C around 900 m. A warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag rated to about 0°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.
Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 25 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Elevation reference (open ground)
300 m19 · very poor
Wind / gust
27 mph / 40 mph
Typical / low
4.0°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
600 m9 · very poor
Wind / gust
33 mph / 49 mph
Typical / low
4.0°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Low
900 m9 · very poor
Wind / gust
39 mph / 57 mph
Typical / low
1.7°C / 1.2°C · much of the night
In cloud
0% of modelled night
Condensation
Moderate
Warmth planning: As a broad starting point, consider a warm 3-season or 3–4 season bag with an ISO/EN comfort rating at or below about 0°C. Allow more margin if you sleep cold or expect fatigue, and use an adequate insulated mat. Dampness is possible, so keep the sleep system dry and ensure its insulation remains effective if damp.
Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 55–65 mph.Poor0View detailsHide details
Generic exposed-rock guidance
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Very poor conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 55–65 mph are strong enough to make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges. The rock around the summit is mostly volcanic tuff, rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. On the usual routes up you may also cross mudstone or slate, which has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. These are general notes for each rock type, taken from geological maps around the summit, so the rock on your line may differ.
Rock surfaceWet rock likelyPeak gust55-65 mphRain5.9 mm
Main factorsgusts of 55–65 mphwet rock likely
Most common mapped rock around the summit
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation
Origin
Igneous
Broad rock-response group
Volcanic rock
Mapping
BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area
Volcanic rock in 65% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly. These are general notes for each rock type, from geological map samples at and around the summit. The rock on your line can differ, and lichen, vegetation and seepage all change how it feels underfoot.
Rock groups along the sampled routes
These are mapped rock groups, not separate weather forecasts or a ranking of route safety.
Carneddau Ogwen
volcanic rock, slate or mudstone, sandstone or gritstone
Geological detail and BGS records
Mapped variation
8 rock types appear in the mapped samples
Samples around the summit inform the main rock-response profile, with the summit pin shown separately where it differs. Route samples add further context, but this is not a continuous geological survey.
Summit-area sample
Felsic tuffCapel Curig Volcanic Formation306–680 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Route sample
Mudstone and siltstoneCwm Eigiau Formation767–860 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
SiltstoneCapel Curig Volcanic Formation392–580 m samplesSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Route sample
RhyoliteUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, OrdovicianAround 488 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Rhyolite is a hard, fine-grained volcanic rock. It grips well when dry and gets slippery on smoother faces when wet. It is hard, but often cracked into sharp, blocky pieces, so some holds are loose.
BGS record →
Route sample
SandstoneLlewelyn Volcanic GroupAround 955 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Sandstone is a gritty sedimentary rock. It is rough and grippy when dry and can feel greasy when damp or covered in lichen. It is usually solid in terraced steps, but softer layers crumble and weathered edges can break away.
BGS record →
Route sample
Volcaniclastic rockFoel Fras Volcanic ComplexAround 1,048 mSeen on Peak Carneddau Ogwen
Volcanic tuff is rock formed from compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is rough and grippy when dry and usually still grips reasonably when wet. It is mostly solid, in slabs and ledges, though weathered patches can be crumbly.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
SiltstoneLlewelyn Volcanic Group
Mudstone or slate is a soft, fine-grained rock that splits into thin flakes. It has only fair grip even when dry and is slippery when wet. It is often shattered, breaking into loose flakes, scree and poor holds.
BGS record →
Summit-area sample
MicrogabbroUnnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician
Dolerite is a hard, dark, fine-grained rock. It grips well when dry and is fair when wet. It is usually solid, but it often breaks into blocky columns, so check blocks before you pull on them.
Did this match your experience?Tell us about the rock surface and wind to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback →
Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaSome breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.View forecastClose forecast
After dark: aurora and stargazing
Night beginning 2026-10-25. All times are UK local time.
Using the last available sky forecast, updated at 03:02 BST on 19 Oct. Cloud conditions may have changed. Live aurora guidance is temporarily unavailable.
Stargazing
Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 25 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 00:00 GMT.
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
A bright moon is up all through the dark hours, washing out fainter stars and meteors.
Sky conditions through the night
Fully dark periods. Conditions can change between forecast hours.
Time
Viewing conditions
25 Oct, 18:55 GMT to 19:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
25 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 00:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Some breaks in the cloud, so stars at times. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
26 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:05 GMT
Poor sky conditions
Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
Limited model coverage.
Moon, darkness and meteor showers
Near-full moon, about 100% illuminated.
Moonset around 26 Oct, 07:25 GMT.
Full darkness: 25 Oct, 18:55 GMT to 26 Oct, 05:05 GMT.
Moon times assume an open horizon. Hills can hide the Moon sooner. Moon-free does not mean cloud-free.
Southern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Orionids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Northern Taurids are active on this night. Activity may be much lower away from the peak.
Southern Taurids: peak around 10 October 2026.
Orionids: peak around 21 October 2026.
Northern Taurids: peak around 12 November 2026.
Leonids: peak around 18 November 2026.
Geminids: peak around 14 December 2026.
Ursids: peak around 22 December 2026.
Dates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Activity dates do not guarantee visible meteors. Look across a broad, dark sky, not only north.
Darkness of the surroundings
Estimated darkness rank 880 of 980 assessed peaks (1 is darkest), based on surrounding artificial light in 2021. This is not a measurement of tonight’s sky.
2021 artificial-light baseline, not measured sky brightness or a Bortle class. Changes to lighting, blue-rich LEDs, terrain screening, atmospheric scattering and cloud-reflected light are not resolved. Similar ranks are not meaningfully distinct. Darkness is not a recommendation to climb a summit at night.
VIIRS nighttime lights: Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute for Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines. Reprocessed by OpenGeoHub/OpenLandMap. Cropped and ranked by Mountain Weather.
Sky-weather grades exclude light pollution, terrain and thin haze. They are not mountain safety ratings. Check the mountain and camping forecast separately. Accessible lower viewpoints may be a better choice than summits.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Carnedd Dafydd on Sunday 25 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.