Forecast confidence: Cloud height is close to summit level at times, so small local changes could put the top in or out of cloud.
Burns and unbridged crossings may rise quickly. Assess them at the water and turn back if unsure.
Cloud-free timing: Around 30% early, improving to around 60% later.
A wild day on Pen-y-ghent: summit wind broadly 30-45 mph, with gusts 50-60 mph around midday (gale-force winds). The ground is likely to be saturated after recent rain. Expect boggy paths and rapid runoff if more rain arrives. High spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Most likely from around 00:00 until around 16:00. Much calmer lower down - generally 15-25 mph in the valley, rising towards the tops. Cloud height is close to summit level at times, so small local changes could put the top in or out of cloud. Cloud is likely to hang lowest on western slopes; the eastern side should see somewhat higher bases and better breaks. about 5 hours of sunshine is indicated, with cloud tending to break and brighter spells becoming more likely later. Some rain is likely, with up to around 2 mm indicated; timing and local totals remain uncertain. Cloud base is the least certain part of this - it could sit a couple of hundred metres either way, especially where it is close to summit level.
Sunshine and sky
Cloud breaking up. Brighter spells should become more frequent as cloud breaks.
These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. Local hill cloud can still make an individual summit brighter or duller than the surrounding model grid.
Overnight · 6 p.m.–9 a.m.Wild campingBetaGusts near 50 mph make meaningful shelter important. 39/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full overnight outlook
Open-hillside camping looks poor overall around 600 m (39/100). A lower pitch near 300 m looks more comfortable; conditions are less suitable by 600 m. Open-ground gusts may reach about 50 mph, making exposed pitches a poor choice. Peak gusts increase from about 40 mph at 300 m to 50 mph at 600 m. Little overnight rain is expected. From around 600 m upward, pitches may spend part of the night in cloud, bringing persistent damp and poor visibility.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 23 / 40 mph
- Typical / low
- 10.0° / 8.8°C · several hours
- In cloud
- Unlikely
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 28 / 49 mph
- Typical / low
- 9.7° / 8.5°C · much of the night
- In cloud
- 50% of 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 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.
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Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaGusts near 55 mph increase the seriousness of exposed ground. 0/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Full climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling look very poor (0/100). Rain during the useful part of the day is likely to leave rock wet and more slippery. The mapped summit rock is Gritstone (Upper Howgate Edge Grit). Usually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully. Representative samples along available mapped routes also include Interbedded limestone, argillaceous rocks and subordinate sandstone, Limestone and 1 other mapped type, so rock character and wet-weather behaviour may change across the mountain. Gusts may reach about 55 mph; crosswinds can make exposed ridges substantially more serious.
Typically rough and very grippy when dry. Damp gritstone can feel greasy, while seepage, polish and softer or saturated holds still need careful checking. Summit-point mapping plus representative BGS bedrock samples along available GPX routes. These are not continuous geological surveys; contacts, superficial deposits and the exposed rock on individual holds may differ.
6 rock types appear across the available route samples
The summit type remains the forecast's cautious rock-response reference. Other mapped types show where conditions may behave differently elsewhere on the mountain.
Typically rough and very grippy when dry. Damp gritstone can feel greasy, while seepage, polish and softer or saturated holds still need careful checking.
BGS recordUsually positive where it is rough and dry, but polished limestone can become very slippery when wet and seepage may linger.
BGS recordUsually positive where it is rough and dry, but polished limestone can become very slippery when wet and seepage may linger.
BGS recordUsually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully.
BGS recordUsually positive where it is rough and dry, but polished limestone can become very slippery when wet and seepage may linger.
BGS recordTypically rough and very grippy when dry. Damp gritstone can feel greasy, while seepage, polish and softer or saturated holds still need careful checking.
BGS recordSee sampled routes
Peak Pen Y Ghent Horton232–689 m samplesInterbedded limestone, argillaceous rocks and subordinate sandstone · Limestone · Limestone · Gritstone · Gritstone · Sandstone and siltstone, interbedded
Peak Yorkshire Three PeaksAround 229 mSandstone and siltstone, interbedded
Generic exposed scrambling terrain; mapped summit-point bedrock is 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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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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