Elidir Fawr Weather Forecast – 924m, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Wednesday 21 October 2026Confidence: High

Overall hill weather-12Severe hill conditions

Summit wind · 08:00-17:005-40 mph northwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0045-55 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate40% Cloud base through day300-1,600 m Freezing level1,000-1,200 m DaylightSunrise 07:52 · Sunset 18:08 · 10.2 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A wild day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with very strong, gusty winds and sleet or snow up high. Not a day for the summit.

Things to watch

Burns could rise quickly through much of the day and into the evening. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Wind

On the summit expect a north-westerly wind of around 20–30 mph first thing, rising to 35–45 mph by midday, 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 make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges.

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by early afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 300–600 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Sleet is possible on the tops, and it could turn to snow if it is a little colder. Heavy rain early on, turning lighter by early 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 0 to 4°C, feeling like -8 to -4°C in the wind. The freezing level falls through the day, to around 1100–1400 m by midday. 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.

Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans. Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 1 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.

Cloud may obscure this summit even while the surrounding model grid indicates sunshine. The low cloud-free summit estimate is a reason to be cautious about expecting views.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 15-25 mph early in the morning, strengthening to 30-40 mph later. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is forecast during the morning, but models differ considerably on the amount.

-11

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Severe hill conditions Winds strengthen compared with the morning. Summit winds around 30-40 mph. 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. 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.

-13

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 above about 600 m (gusts of about 50 mph). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Wednesday 21 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 50 mph around 900 m and nearer 35 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. Dry to pitch, then some light rain overnight and into the morning, so expect to pack a wet tent. Above about 600 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.

Overnight rain2.6 mm Open ground · 600 m19 mph · gusts 43 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 80%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 03:03 next morning BST

Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. 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 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 36 mph
Typical / low: 5.5°C / 4.9°C · a brief spell
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 19 mph / 43 mph
Typical / low: 4.7°C / 4.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 33% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 22 mph / 51 mph
Typical / low: 2.5°C / 2.0°C · much of the night
In cloud: 33% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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 45–55 mph. Poor0 View 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 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. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 mphRain15.5 mm

Main factorsgusts of 45–55 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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 2026-10-21. All times are UK local time.

Aurora is unlikely on this night

A noticeable aurora display is unlikely here. Any glow may be faint or camera-only. Activity peaks around Kp 3.7 (on a 0 to 9 scale). NOAA has a G1 storm watch out for this date, though the timing of the strongest activity can shift.

Activity can change at short notice. Check again on the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 22 Oct, 00:00 BST to 01:00 BST.

Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.

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	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
21 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.
21 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.
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	Poor 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	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 02:00 BST to 03:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars.
22 Oct, 03:00 BST to 04:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
22 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
22 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.

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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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.

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This is about Elidir Fawr on Wednesday 21 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

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Thursday 22 October 2026Confidence: High

Overall hill weather78Good

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-20 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0020-30 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationUp to around 2 mm Cloud-free summit estimate85% Cloud base through day1,100-1,600 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:54 · Sunset 18:05 · 10.2 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A good day on Elidir Fawr: light winds and clear tops for most of the day.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of 10–20 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 20–30 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. It gets windier still after dark, with summit gusts of 25–35 mph, so bear that in mind if you will be out late.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit around midday. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-morning. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 400–700 m. It will look largely cloudy overhead, but that cloud should mostly stay above the tops. The air should be clear, so expect far-reaching views as long as the tops stay clear.

Rain and ground

Drizzle at first, clearing by mid-morning. More rain follows after dark. Some forecast models keep it drier later on. It will be wet underfoot after recent rain.

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 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.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 6.7 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.

Early: 1 h
Midday: 3.7 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Good Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period.

76

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Good Summit winds around 10-20 mph. Gusts around 20-30 mph are possible on exposed ground.

80

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 above about 600 m (gusts of about 50 mph and around 17 mm of rain). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Thursday 22 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 50 mph around 900 m and nearer 35 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 southerly to southwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect a wet night, around 17 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. Overnight lows of about 3°C at 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 2°C comfort, and a warm mat, should do. Allow more if you sleep cold.

Overnight rain17.3 mm Open ground · 600 m22 mph · gusts 44 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 88%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 04:22 next morning BST

Cloud at the reference camping height may hide the Moon. 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: 18 mph / 36 mph
Typical / low: 7.4°C / 6.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 22 mph / 44 mph
Typical / low: 6.3°C / 5.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 47% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 26 mph / 52 mph
Typical / low: 4.3°C / 3.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 53% 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.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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: wet, slippery rock. Poor19 View 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 20–30 mph will be noticeable on exposed ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 mphRain1.0 mm

Main concernwet rock likely

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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.

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Too quiet for a likely sighting from here. Activity peaks around Kp 2.7 (on a 0 to 9 scale). It would take about Kp 5.7 for a camera to pick up a glow low in the north, though that is not a hard line.

Activity can change at short notice. Check again on the night.

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, 04:20 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. Rain at times. 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. Rain at times. 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. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter 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. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter 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. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. 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. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. 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.
23 Oct, 04:00 BST to 05:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.
23 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times.

Moon, darkness and meteor showers

Gibbous moon, about 88% illuminated.

Moonset around 23 Oct, 04:20 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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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 Elidir Fawr on Thursday 22 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Friday 23 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather-30Severe hill conditions

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0010-55 mph northwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0065-75 mph Feels like-10 to -6°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate50% Cloud base through day500-1,800 m Freezing level900-1,200 m DaylightSunrise 07:56 · Sunset 18:03 · 10.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A wild day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with very strong, gusty winds and burns likely to be in spate. Not a day for the summit.

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 10–55 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 65–75 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 make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges.

Cloud and visibility

Cloud on the tops early should lift off them by early afternoon. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m mid-morning. Visibility may drop briefly in showers.

Rain and ground

Sleet is possible on the tops, and it could turn to snow if it is a little colder. Heavy rain early on, turning lighter by early 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 two days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans. Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 4.3 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.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 1.3 h
Later: 2 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 20-30 mph early in the morning, strengthening to 45-55 mph later. Gusts around 65-75 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. Rain is forecast during the morning, but models differ considerably on the amount.

-39

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Severe hill conditions Winds strengthen compared with the morning. Summit winds around 40-50 mph. Gusts around 60-70 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. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry.

-22

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 4 mm of rain. 9Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Friday 23 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 60 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. The wind swings from northwesterly to southwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect about 4 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. 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.

Overnight rain3.5 mm Open ground · 600 m28 mph · gusts 49 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 94%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 05:44 next morning BST

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 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 23 mph / 41 mph
Typical / low: 5.1°C / 4.9°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 28 mph / 49 mph
Typical / low: 4.3°C / 4.1°C · much of the night
In cloud: 7% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 33 mph / 58 mph
Typical / low: 1.9°C / 1.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 20% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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 65–75 mph. Poor0 View 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 65–75 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. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 gust65-75 mphRain15.4 mm

Main factorsgusts of 65–75 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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 2026-10-23. All times are UK local time.

Aurora is unlikely on this night

A noticeable aurora display is unlikely here. Any glow may be faint or camera-only. Activity peaks around Kp 3.3 (on a 0 to 9 scale).

Activity can change at short notice. Check again on the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 23 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
24 Oct, 05:00 BST to 06:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.
24 Oct, 06:00 BST to 06:05 BST	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars.

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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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 Elidir Fawr on Friday 23 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Saturday 24 October 2026Confidence: Low

Overall hill weather-48Severe hill conditions

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0030-55 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0065-75 mph Feels like-6 to -2°C PrecipitationAround 20-40 mm Cloud-free summit estimate25% Cloud base through day300-1,300 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:58 · Sunset 18:01 · 10.1 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A wild day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with a real risk of thunderstorms and very strong, gusty winds. Not a day for the summit.

Things to watch

There is a real risk of thunderstorms from around midday into the evening. Keep off exposed summits and ridges while storms are around. Storms can bring sudden strong gusts and heavy rain. Storm timing could easily shift by a few hours. Burns and rivers are likely to be in spate through the day and overnight, so unbridged crossings could be difficult or impossible. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of around 30–40 mph first thing, rising to 45–55 mph by early afternoon, with gusts of 65–75 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 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

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 300–600 m in the early afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Rain for much of the day, heaviest in the early afternoon. Expect 20–40 mm in total. Heavier showers can bring sudden strong gusts and a quick drop in visibility. Totals are uncertain and could be higher. 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 three days off and could change, so check again nearer the time.

Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans. Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans.

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.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 30-40 mph early in the morning, strengthening to 40-50 mph later. 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 morning, while others keep it mostly dry.

-16

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Severe hill conditions Winds strengthen compared with the morning. More rain is expected. Summit winds around 40-55 mph. Gusts around 65-75 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. Rain is forecast during the afternoon, but models differ considerably on the amount.

-80

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 75 mph and around 11 mm of rain. 0Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Saturday 24 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 75 mph around 900 m and nearer 50 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 a wet night, around 11 mm of rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. 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.

Overnight rain10.7 mm Open ground · 600 m43 mph · gusts 63 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Near-full moon

Illuminated disc: 98%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 06:09 next morning GMT

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 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 36 mph / 52 mph
Typical / low: 6.2°C / 5.5°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 43 mph / 63 mph
Typical / low: 4.7°C / 4.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

900 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 51 mph / 74 mph
Typical / low: 2.4°C / 2.0°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.

The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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: wet, slippery rock. Poor0 View 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 65–75 mph are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. There is a real risk of thunderstorms from around midday into the evening. Keep off exposed rock and ridges while storms are around. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 gust65-75 mphRain29.7 mm

Main factorshigh thunderstorm risk on exposed groundgusts of 65–75 mphwet rock likely

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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 2026-10-24. All times are UK local time.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 24 Oct, 20:00 BST to 21:00 BST.

Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time.

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 Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
24 Oct, 20:00 BST to 21:00 BST	Poor sky conditions Some forecasts show clear spells, others keep it cloudy; check again nearer the time. Forecast models disagree.
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. 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. 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. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. 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. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 01:00 BST to 01:00 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.
25 Oct, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 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.
25 Oct, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 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.
25 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 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.
25 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:05 GMT	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

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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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 Elidir Fawr on Saturday 24 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Sunday 25 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather-10Severe hill conditions

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0040-55 mph northwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0065-75 mph Feels like-8 to -4°C PrecipitationAround 5-10 mm Cloud-free summit estimate60% Cloud base through day1,200-2,200 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:00 · Sunset 16:59 · 10.0 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A wild day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with very strong, gusty winds and rain for much of the day. Not a day for the summit.

Things to watch

Burns could rise quickly through much of the day and into the evening. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Wind

On the summit expect a north-westerly wind of 40–55 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 65–75 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 make walking very difficult and tiring, with a risk of being blown off your feet. Avoid exposed ridges and edges.

Cloud and visibility

The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of a clear summit around midday. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m mid-morning. A few forecast models bring it lower still, to around 400–700 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 morning. 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 -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 5pm, 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.

Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans. Below zero means severe hill conditions. More negative scores indicate more severe forecast weather. Read the hazard details before making plans.

Sunshine context Model-grid estimate, not summit sunshine

The surrounding model grid indicates 7.3 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.

Early: 2 h
Midday: 4 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Severe hill conditions Summit winds around 45-55 mph. Gusts around 65-75 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. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is forecast during this period. Rain is possible during the morning, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.

-26

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor Summit 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. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall.

7

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 above about 600 m (gusts of about 55 mph). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 19Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Sunday 25 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 55 mph around 900 m and nearer 40 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 northwesterly to southwesterly overnight, so a pitch sheltered at dusk may not be by morning. Expect some light rain, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. 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.

Overnight rain2.0 mm Open ground · 600 m20 mph · gusts 46 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Near-full moon

Illuminated disc: 100%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 07:39 next morning GMT

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 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 17 mph / 38 mph
Typical / low: 5.3°C / 5.2°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m19 · very poor

Wind / gust: 20 mph / 46 mph
Typical / low: 4.7°C / 4.6°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 23 mph / 54 mph
Typical / low: 2.4°C / 2.1°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 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.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 65–75 mph. Poor0 View 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 65–75 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. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 gust65-75 mphRain8.9 mm

Main factorsgusts of 65–75 mphwet rock likely

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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 2026-10-25. All times are UK local time.

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 25 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. 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. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
25 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 26 Oct, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
26 Oct, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
26 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.
26 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.
26 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.
26 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.
26 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:05 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars.

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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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 Elidir Fawr on Sunday 25 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Monday 26 October 2026Confidence: Medium

Overall hill weather7Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0020-40 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0045-55 mph Feels like-4 to 0°C PrecipitationAround 10-20 mm Cloud-free summit estimate25% Cloud base through day400-1,400 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:02 · Sunset 16:57 · 9.9 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with very strong, gusty winds and burns likely to be in spate.

Things to watch

Burns and rivers are likely to be in spate through the day and overnight, so unbridged crossings could be difficult or impossible. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of around 20–30 mph first thing, rising to 35–45 mph by mid-afternoon, with gusts of 45–55 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 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 early in the morning. The cloud base could be as low as 400–700 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Rain for much of the day, becoming heavier later. Expect 10–20 mm in total. Totals are uncertain and could be higher. The ground is very wet after recent rain, so expect boggy paths.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 2 to 6°C, feeling like -4 to 0°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 4:55pm, 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.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Poor Summit winds around 20-35 mph. Gusts around 40-50 mph are possible on exposed ground. Gusts this strong can make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the morning, while others keep it mostly dry.

26

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Severe hill conditions Winds strengthen compared with the morning. More rain is expected. Summit winds around 30-40 mph. 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. Rain is forecast during the afternoon, but models differ considerably on the amount.

-12

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 65 mph and heavy rain, around 50 mm. 9Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Monday 26 October 2026

Full overnight outlook

Not a night to camp on the open hill. Gusts reach about 65 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 heavy rain, around 50 mm, with rain while you pitch and still falling when you pack up. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. Overnight lows of about 7°C at 900 m. A 3-season bag rated to about 6°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.

Overnight rain48.5 mm Open ground · 600 m35 mph · gusts 54 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 6°C or lower

Moon overnight

Near-full moon

Illuminated disc: 99%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: Outside this window

Cloud at the reference camping height may hide the Moon. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 26 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 27 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: 29 mph / 45 mph
Typical / low: 12.7°C / 9.3°C · a brief spell
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 35 mph / 54 mph
Typical / low: 11.6°C / 8.3°C · several hours
In cloud: 80% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m0 · very poor

Wind / gust: 41 mph / 64 mph
Typical / low: 10.2°C / 6.6°C · several hours
In cloud: 87% 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 6°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.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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 45–55 mph. Poor0 View 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 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. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 mphRain15.2 mm

Main factorsgusts of 45–55 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night beginning 2026-10-26. All times are UK local time.

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 27 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Rain at times. Hazy, which dims the fainter stars. 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
26 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.
26 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 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.
26 Oct, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 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.
26 Oct, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 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.
26 Oct, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 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.
26 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 27 Oct, 00:00 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.
27 Oct, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 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.
27 Oct, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 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.
27 Oct, 02:00 GMT to 03:00 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.
27 Oct, 03:00 GMT to 04:00 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.
27 Oct, 04:00 GMT to 05:00 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.
27 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:10 GMT	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

Near-full moon, about 99% illuminated.

Full darkness: 26 Oct, 18:55 GMT to 27 Oct, 05:10 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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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 Elidir Fawr on Monday 26 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Tuesday 27 October 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather30Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0015-30 mph westerly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0030-40 mph Feels like-2 to 2°C PrecipitationAround 2-5 mm Cloud-free summit estimate85% Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:04 · Sunset 16:55 · 9.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with burns in severe spate and drizzle clearing by midday.

Things to watch

Burns and rivers are likely to be in severe spate from the morning into the evening. Do not attempt unbridged crossings. Timings are rough. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

Wind

On the summit expect a westerly wind of 15–30 mph for most of the day, with gusts of 30–40 mph at the windiest. Lower down on the open hillside it will be more like 5–15 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.

Cloud and visibility

The tops should stay clear of cloud all day.

Rain and ground

Drizzle at first, clearing by midday. Expect 2–5 mm in total. Some forecast models keep it drier in the morning. The ground is very wet after recent rain, so expect boggy paths.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 2 to 6°C, feeling like -2 to 2°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 4:55pm, 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 8.8 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.

Early: 2 h
Midday: 4 h
Later: 0.8 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Poor Summit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 30-40 mph are possible on exposed ground. Rain is forecast during this period. Some forecast models bring rain during the morning, while others keep it mostly dry.

30

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor Rain eases compared with the morning. Summit winds around 15-25 mph. Gusts around 25-35 mph are possible on exposed ground.

30

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 4 mm of rain. 9Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Tuesday 27 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. Dry to pitch, then about 4 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 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.

Overnight rain4.0 mm Open ground · 600 m28 mph · gusts 47 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 95%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: Outside this window

Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 27 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 28 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: 23 mph / 39 mph
Typical / low: 6.6°C / 5.4°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

600 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 28 mph / 47 mph
Typical / low: 6.6°C / 5.4°C · much of the night
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Low

900 m9 · very poor

Wind / gust: 33 mph / 56 mph
Typical / low: 5.4°C / 5.0°C · a brief spell
In cloud: 20% 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.

The ground is likely to be very wet after recent rain. Expect boggy approaches and choose a durable pitch carefully.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Did this match your night?Share a quick observation to help improve this beta forecast.Give feedback

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaMixed conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 30–40 mph. Poor45 View detailsHide details

Generic exposed-rock guidance

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Mixed conditions for exposed scrambling. The rock is likely to be wet and slippery through the day. Gusts of 30–40 mph could throw you off balance on exposed moves and ridges. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 gust30-40 mphRain2.8 mm

Main factorsgusts of 30–40 mphwet rock likely

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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 2026-10-27. All times are UK local time.

Aurora outlook

Nothing notable expected.

A broad activity outlook, not a forecast of a visible display. Cloud and activity can change before the night.

Stargazing

Poor sky conditions during the best available spell: 27 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT.

Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. 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
27 Oct, 18:50 GMT to 19:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
27 Oct, 19:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
27 Oct, 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
27 Oct, 21:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
27 Oct, 22:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
27 Oct, 23:00 GMT to 28 Oct, 00:00 GMT	Poor sky conditions Mostly cloudy, so little chance of seeing the stars. Moonlight washes out the fainter stars. Limited model coverage.
28 Oct, 00:00 GMT to 01:00 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.
28 Oct, 01:00 GMT to 02:00 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.
28 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.
28 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.
28 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.
28 Oct, 05:00 GMT to 05:10 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 96% illuminated.

Full darkness: 27 Oct, 18:50 GMT to 28 Oct, 05:10 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 911 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.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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 Elidir Fawr on Tuesday 27 October 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.

Open the questions to take part.

About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead

Wednesday 28 October 2026Confidence: Unavailable

Overall hill weather16Poor

Summit wind · 08:00-17:0020-40 mph southwesterly Summit gusts · 08:00-17:0045-55 mph Feels like0 to 4°C PrecipitationAround 5-10 mm Cloud-free summit estimate25% Cloud base through day700-1,000 m Freezing levelAbove summit DaylightSunrise 07:06 · Sunset 16:53 · 9.8 hours daylight

The day on the hill

A poor day on the tops of Elidir Fawr, with strong, gusty winds and rain for much of the day.

Wind

On the summit expect a south-westerly wind of around 30–40 mph first thing, easing to 20–30 mph by mid-afternoon, with gusts of 45–55 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. If the windier forecast models are right, summit gusts could reach 65–75 mph.

Cloud and visibility

Expect the summit to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 700–1000 m early in the morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.

Rain and ground

Rain for much of the day. Expect 5–10 mm in total. The ground is very wet after recent rain, so expect boggy paths.

Warmth and kit

On the tops it will be around 6 to 10°C, feeling like 0 to 4°C in the wind. The freezing level is above the summits. A windproof and an extra layer for stops will help. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Daylight

Sunset is around 4:55pm, so allow time to get off the hill before dark, and carry a head torch.

Forecast confidence

It's still seven 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.

Early: 0 h
Midday: 0 h
Later: 0 h

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00 Poor Summit 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.

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Afternoon · 12:00–17:00 Poor Winds ease compared with the morning. Summit winds around 20-30 mph. Gusts around 30-40 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.

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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 m View detailsHide details

Night beginning Wednesday 28 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 west. Expect a little rain, mostly early on, so you'll likely pitch in the rain. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 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.

Overnight rain0.5 mm Open ground · 600 m14 mph · gusts 25 mph Morning pack-upDampness possible Sleeping-bag warmthISO comfort rating about 2°C or lower

Moon overnight

Waning gibbous moon

Illuminated disc: 89%
Moonrise: 17:30 GMT
Moonset: Outside this window

Extensive cloud may limit moonlight. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 28 Oct, 17:00 GMT to 29 Oct, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 11 mph / 21 mph
Typical / low: 5.0°C / 4.7°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

600 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 14 mph / 25 mph
Typical / low: 5.0°C / 4.7°C · several hours
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

900 m59 · mixed

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 30 mph
Typical / low: 4.2°C / 3.7°C · much of the night
In cloud: 7% of modelled night
Condensation: Moderate

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.

Open-hillside reference. A sheltered pitch may be calmer; cols and ridges may be much windier. Tent design and the exact pitch still matter. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaVery poor conditions for exposed scrambling: gusts of 45–55 mph. Poor0 View 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 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. Cloud on the tops may make route-finding and retreat harder. The rock around the summit is mostly sandstone, 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. 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 mphRain6.2 mm

Main factorsgusts of 45–55 mphwet rock likelymuch of the route may be in cloud

Most common mapped rock around the summit Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation

Origin: Sedimentary
Broad rock-response group: Sandstone or gritstone
Mapping: BGS Geology 50K · 1:50,000
Summit area: Sandstone or gritstone in 59% of 17 BGS samples within 350 m
Summit pin: Gritstone (Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member)
Rock-response profile: High confidence

View the summit BGS record

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. 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.

Elidir Fawr Ridge

slate or mudstone, volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone

Geological detail and BGS records

Mapped variation

9 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 Sandstone Allt Lwyd Formation Around 515 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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

Summit-area sample Siltstone Nant Ffrancon Subgroup 107–399 m samples Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Felsic tuff Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 818 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Pyroclastic rock Bedded Pyroclastic Formation Around 611 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Rhyolite Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician Around 303 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Sandstone Cwm Eigiau Formation Around 914 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Siltstone Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation Around 203 m Seen on Peak Elidir Fawr Ridge

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 Mudstone, siltstone and sandstone Marchlyn Formation

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 Gritstone Carnedd Y Filiast Grit Member

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

Generic exposed scrambling terrain; BGS summit-area bedrock samples are included where available, but route grade, exact rock, polish, drainage and escape options remain unresolved. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

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Overnight · Aurora, stars & meteorsAfter darkBetaNight-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. View forecastClose forecast

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Night-sky guidance is unavailable for this night. This does not mean clear skies or no aurora.

Explore the dedicated aurora forecast, meteor shower forecast or dark-sky and astrophotography forecast.

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.

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Elidir Fawr weather forecast.

Choose your hill day.

The day on the hill

Things to watch

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Elidir Fawr Ridge

9 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Elidir Fawr Ridge

9 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Things to watch

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Elidir Fawr Ridge

9 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Aurora is unlikely on this night

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Things to watch

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit

Daylight

Forecast confidence

Full overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Full climbing & scrambling outlook

Rock groups along the sampled routes

Elidir Fawr Ridge

9 rock types appear in the mapped samples

After dark: aurora and stargazing

Stargazing

Darkness of the surroundings

The day on the hill

Things to watch

Wind

Cloud and visibility

Rain and ground

Warmth and kit