- This report is completed on a regular basis through the winter months by the Snowdonia National Park Authority and gives indicative information on snow/ice conditions underfoot in the Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) area.
Remember, mountaineering is an activity with inherent risks, when out on the hills you should be aware of and accept these risks and take responsibility for your own decisions, prepare well and enjoy the adventure!
Walking in the uplands during the winter can require additional equipment and skills and it is important that you are prepared for this in order to enjoy hill walking safely.
Latest Report
Date – Friday the 24th of March 2023Time – Summit at approximately 1100Snow Above – No snow seen on the path todayRoute Taken – Pyg path
Details
No snow or ice was seen on the path today, this may change in the period between this report and the next one on Tuesday (see ‘Additional Information’ below for more details). It was too foggy to see much more than the actual path walked.
A cloudy and grey day, with fog, showers of rain and hail and strong wind.
Essential Kit
Usual seasonal suitable walking equipment, including lights.
Winter mountaineering gear was not required for today’s report, but with the possibility of wintry conditions in the forecast for the next few days, the situation could change before the next report on Tuesday, especially from Sunday night onwards. Carrying winter mountaineering gear ‘just in case’ could avoid a difficult decision between turning back to stay safe, or carrying on with unfavourable underfoot conditions (see ‘Additional Information’ below for further details).
Using an ice axe will offer increased safety in areas of snow and ice, and suitable use can prevent slips from developing. Walking with any form of spikes on the feet will be safer while using an ice axe in an appropriate manner at the same time.
Using microspikes will offer a means of reducing the likelihood of slipping when walking on snow and ice on less steep parts of the paths.
Appropriate use of mountaineering crampons will give you options to stay safe in areas of steeper terrain or if you encounter more challenging conditions on parts of the mountain.
Carrying snow goggles (such as ski goggles) will offer a way to protect the eyes from cold winds and drifting snow, making it easier to see in order to travel more safely on the mountain.
Additional Information
On the day of the report, the forecast suggests that temperatures may be close to, or below, freezing on the summit over the weekend, with temperatures falling further from Sunday night onwards, with the possibility of snow at times, and a minimum temperature of -6°C currently forecast.
This means that there is a small possibility of ice and snow developing over the weekend, but it looks like it will become increasingly icy, with the possibility of snow, from Sunday night onwards. It will feel quite cold on the mountain (feeling like as low as -11°C is mentioned in the forecast), and visibility will be poor at times. Once again keeping an eye on the details of the weather forecast in the meantime will give an idea of how things are likely to develop.
Sunset around 1830, dark by around 1900, till Saturday and then sunset around 1945 and dark by around 2015 from Sunday onwards after turning the clock.
