Snowdon Live

Ground Conditions

Reported on Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time: At the summit around 1530
Snow above: no snow or ice observed
Route taken: PyG path, miners' path
Next report: Tuesday 18-11-2025

Freeze after the storm 13-11-25

This report has been published a day early on a Thursday rather than the usual Friday because severe weather is predicted on Friday the 14th of November.

Conditions
No snow or ice was seen on the mountain during today's observations.

A cloudy day, with the occasional shower, moderate wind, and a few rare glimpses of blue sky.

Essential equipment
Seasonally appropriate walking gear, including lighting (such as a headtorch or two each).

Carrying snow goggles (such as ski goggles) will protect the eyes from cold winds and drifting snow, making it easier to see in order to travel more safely on the mountain.

Carrying microscopes just in case will offer safer options if snow or ice develops on the mountain (see additional information below)

Additional Information
On the Thursday of the report the forecast suggests that the temperature on the summit will be above freezing to start Friday but will fall close to or below freezing for most of the period until the next report on Tuesday. The temperature at the summit is forecast to be as low as -2ºC (feeling like it is as low as -13ºC at times).

With the temperature close to, or below freezing for significant periods and the possibility of precipitation there is some possibility of snow or ice higher up on the mountain at times. This looks most likely Monday night into Tuesday morning in the forecast on the day of the report, but possible at other times (Friday night for example). A small change in the forecast could mean a stronger possibility of snow or ice, and the latest forecast should be kept an eye on just in case.

There will also be periods of very strong wind and heavy rain at times in the coming days, with yellow warnings for wind and for rain issued for a period on Friday and Saturday, where the weather could create dangers in lowland areas, while conditions on the mountain will be even more serious. Periods of blizzard conditions are possible.

Summit in the clouds

A gap passing Grib Goch

A burst of brightness at Hafod Eryri

Rocks and clouds

Goats sensible enough to stay low to avoid the weather

A less sensible sheep near the summit

Participating in any activities on the mountain comes with the risk of accidents that can result in injury or death, where it is difficult for any help to reach. Anyone taking part in any activities on the mountain should understand and accept these risks for themselves, and take responsibility for their own safety, without endangering others around them, or the environment.

Latest weather forecasts available at:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gcmjghxpx?new-design=false#?date=2025-11-13

Perhaps it is worth a few words about the decision to avoid being on the mountain on Friday, in terms of the thinking behind this.

A number of risk-increasing elements are present:
Very strong wind
Heavy rain
Low Temperature
Conditions deteriorating through the day

Significant wind can increase hazards of its own. The wind does not need to be strong enough to blow a person off their feet to increase the danger, any wind that makes moving awkward means that there is a greater possibility of tripping, twisting an ankle or falling which means that there is a greater possibility of a simple injury on the mountain that makes walking more difficult or impossible.

A significant wind tends to cause a person to lose more heat and make it more difficult to keep warm, but also makes it more difficult to change or add warm clothes at the same time, which can cause further cooling.

A combination of strong wind and rain means further cooling, with getting wet causing further heat loss.

On a day like Friday it is not difficult to imagine a situation where a higher possibility of a simple injury can lead to making movement difficult or impossible, which leads to significant cooling, in weather conditions that deteriorate rapidly, with wind getting stronger, and getting ever wetter in the rain. Any mishap could deteriorate into a situation where it is very difficult or impossible to get off the mountain without outside help.

With cold fingers and a phone with a wet screen even calling for help can be difficult or impossible. If an emergency call can be made it will not be possible for helicopters to fly in cloud with strong wind, so the only way for help to arrive would be to walk up the mountain. The rescue services have a duty to ensure the safety of their own volunteers and workers so it is possible for circumstances to be too dangerous for them to be able to offer timely assistance. Even if it is possible to send someone to offer help on the mountain it can take several hours to reach certain places on the mountain, and any casualty can get dangerously cold over such a long time.

So it is not a question of whether it is possible to operate in challenging weather that decides if it is wise to be out on the mountain. All elements of the circumstances contribute to the risk as a whole, with elements that can contribute and combine to increase the consequences of any incidents, with small accidents quickly leading to a very serious situation.

For me the decision is not always a simple one, but the simplest and most effective way to reduce the dangers of bad weather on the mountain, is to avoid being on the mountain when it is difficult to stay safe if this is possible. Experience can be beneficial in making the decision to avoid the dangers, but many of the dangers can affect both experienced and inexperienced walkers if they choose to be out in such weather, with the wind and the rain affecting everyone in the same way.

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