This page aims to bring live winter ground conditions from three locations across Eryri. Air temperatures and turf temperatures are available from Twll Ddu (Devil’s Kitchen) in Cwm Idwal, Cwm Cneifion and Clogwyn Y Garnedd on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). All of these areas are situated within protected areas of which rare Arctic Alpine plants are found. Climbing on turf that is not fully frozen or in marginal conditions when there is only a thin cover of snow and ice can damage these rare plants, which in turn could lead to formal restrictions on climbing activities. The aim is to provide accurate information to winter climbers about current and historical temperatures to allow better decision-making before heading out for a winter climbing day..

Why monitor conditions?

The cold and wet conditions which make Eryri (Snowdonia)'s winter crags sought after venues for winter climbers also provide sanctuary for rare Arctic-alpine plants, with the inaccessible location preventing sheep grazing. The turf these plants live in is easily damaged by ice tools if not fully frozen; even a single ascent in marginal conditions could irreparably damage the plant or habitat. But in well frozen conditions, the turf won’t be damaged by climbers – good news for plants and climbers too, given loss of turf can quickly change a route from steady to a desperate grovel. Better for the plants. Better for the climbers

How it works

Sets of temperature probes have been placed these crags which take readings at hourly intervals and transmit to base stations.

The following graphs give four temperature readings – the current air temp and the temp of the turf at 5cm, 15cm and 30cm depths. There are many variables which contribute to bringing routes into condition and the data below should simply be used as a guide for climbers to make their own, more informed decisions about likely on-crag conditions.

We stress that this is not a definitive system – it will not give a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to whether conditions are good for climbing. Small differences from the effect of weather on different areas of the crag may mean the measurement site shows frozen turf when the turf on the crag (or part of the crag) is not, or vice versa. Likewise, weather can affect similar crags even a small distance away differently.

Cwm Idwal

Cwm Cneifion

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

Snowdon Weather

To verify the temperatures and compare the data to the actual climbing conditions please take the time to complete the feedback form here after visiting the cliffs. This is a pilot partnership project between National Resources Wales and the BMC.

WATCH: Winter Monitoring System in Eryri explained

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