Is today a good day to go hiking? – live verdict
Check hiking weather for rain, exposed-trail gusts, temperature, fog and forecast thunderstorms.
Choose your location to load today’s verdict and its reason. No current verdict is available until the forecast loads.
What makes a good hiking day
An exposed ridge can feel very different from the town where a walk starts. This hiking score weighs rain, gusts, feels-like temperature and visibility, with strong restrictions for thunderstorms, heavy rain, snow or ice codes and dense fog. It helps compare possible departure times, but a point forecast cannot describe every slope or sheltered valley.
Look through the hourly forecast for the whole walk, including the descent. If the best window is shorter than the outing, consider a shorter route or another day. Elevation, recent rainfall and local exposure can change conditions. Trail mud, river crossings, avalanche conditions and closures are not measured here; check the relevant local information before setting off.
| Changed input | Score | Verdict | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry reference hour | 100/100 | GO | None |
| Gusts 30 km/h | 85/100 | GO | None |
| Gusts 45 km/h | 64/100 | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| Gusts 55 km/h | 40/100 | NO-GO | NO-GO |
| Feels-like 29°C | 75/100 | GO | None |
| Feels-like 33°C | 55/100 | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| Heavy rain 2 mm/h | 40/100 | NO-GO | NO-GO |
| Visibility 900 m | 40/100 | NO-GO | NO-GO |
Each example changes only the listed inputs from a dry, clear reference hour: air and feels-like temperature 18°C, steady wind and gusts 10 km/h, visibility 10 km, no precipitation, 0% precipitation probability and UV 0. These illustrative results are calculated from the same scoring functions as the live tool. Several penalties can combine into a lower verdict.
A score of 70–100 is GO, 45–69 MAYBE, and 0–44 NO-GO. A MAYBE cap limits the effective score to 64, and a NO-GO cap to 40. These are the app’s suitability bands, not certified safe operating limits.
Rain isn't the only hiking risk
Everyone checks for rain, but a walk also depends on visibility, exposure and the condition of the route. Storm and fog inputs affect this model. River levels, trail closures and conditions at higher elevations do not: a favourable forecast at the start cannot answer those questions.
How the model handles heat
Hiking involves sustained effort, but this score is not a medical heat-risk model. Feels-like temperature above 28°C subtracts 25 points. Above 32°C it subtracts 45 and caps at MAYBE, not automatically NO-GO. Compare possible hours and consult official warnings; the model does not know your shade, pace or individual tolerance.
Why exposed trails change the wind calculation
A sheltered path and an exposed ridge are different outings. The hiking model reads peak gusts but does not know which parts of your route have shelter. Its gust caps apply to the selected forecast point: MAYBE from 45 km/h and NO-GO from 55 km/h. They are not a promise that a lower value is suitable on exposed terrain.
Plan the whole outing
Search near the start and check any substantially higher or more exposed part of the walk separately. Include the time needed to return. A two-hour fair spell is not enough for a six-hour route. Follow official warnings and local access advice even when the model says GO.
This is a point forecast, not a mountain or route-risk assessment. It does not measure river levels, avalanche danger, terrain, trail closures or conditions at a summit above the selected point. UV only affects the score when the input supplies it.
Forecast inputs: Open-Meteo Weather Forecast API. Scoring and limitations: GoNoGo methodology. Send corrections through Contact. Model explanations checked against the deployed scoring code on 14 September 2026.
Optional equipment references
These category links are not field-tested product reviews. Check fit, specifications and suitability independently; equipment does not override the weather verdict.
Trekking poles
Extra stability on wet, loose or steep ground and in gusts on exposed trails.
See options
Waterproof shell
A breathable, packable rain shell can help with comfort in showers; it does not remove weather risks.
See optionsAffiliate disclosure: these Amazon links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. They are optional category searches, not tested product endorsements.
Hiking weather FAQ
Is it safe to hike in the rain?
The tool cannot determine whether a particular wet trail is safe. Rain, storm and visibility inputs affect the score, but river levels, footing and route closures are outside it. Check local access advice and the full walking period, including the return.
What temperature is too hot to hike?
The model is not a personal heat limit. Above 28°C feels-like it subtracts 25 points; above 32°C it subtracts 45 and caps at MAYBE. Other penalties can lower the result to NO-GO. Official heat advice and your circumstances remain separate checks.
How much wind is too much for hiking?
The software starts subtracting gust points at 30 km/h, caps at MAYBE at 45 km/h and at NO-GO at 55 km/h. It cannot distinguish a sheltered woodland path from an exposed ridge at the same forecast point.
How far ahead can I plan a hike?
The seven-day outlook helps compare days, but the daily score averages its four best daytime hours. Inspect enough hours to cover the entire walk and check again near departure. A two-hour window is not sufficient for a six-hour route.
Heading out on wheels or water instead? Check the cycling weather verdict, the motorcycle ride-day tool or the drone flying weather, or start from the GoNoGo Weather home.