ANYONE thinking of visiting Y Wyddfa / Snowdon is being urged to take great caution. 

Snowdonia National Park: Eryri National Park have released a statement saying there is heavy snow in parts of Eryri; Eryri National Park is the largest National Park in Wales.

Eryri boasts the highest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa; the largest natural lake in Wales, and villages such as Betws y Coed and Beddgelert. The area attracts thousands of visitors a year. 

The latest report into ground conditions for Y Wyddfa, by the national park, which was undertaken on Tuesday, stated there was "snow at all levels". Observations were noted after following the pyg/miners’ path. Some sections of Rhyd Ddu and Llanberis paths were also visited.

It added: "A wide variety of snow and ice underfoot to be seen today. Snow was present at all altitudes observed today, and there were also many very icy areas. There is considerable ice on parts of the paths, especially lower down on the mountain, but there are icy areas on the paths higher up as well.

"The snow lying on the mountain has been under significant influence of wind, leaving some places with a relatively thin layer of icy snow, and other places drifted much thicker, and there are places where soft new snow has gathered. There are a number of places on the paths where snow has drifted to fill the path almost completely, but also areas where the snow on the path has been trampled, leaving dense and slippery compacted snow. 

"There are areas where windslab has formed, and where drifts along edges have begun to become corniced."

The report added: "On the day of the report, the forecast suggests that there will be a variety of wintry weather over the next few days, with significant winds at times, extensive periods of snow, very cold temperatures below freezing at all altitudes, blizzards and sunny spells. This means that it can feel very cold, it can be difficult to see in order to move safely on the mountain, and there is a possibility that paths fill in with snow, and become very difficult to find and follow especially when visibility is reduced in clouds, fog or falling snow.

"As stated earlier the snow has started to form a cornice along some edges, and although not yet fully corniced, the snow along the edges can be unstable, so you should keep enough distance from any steep edges to avoid accidentally standing on any such snow."

Anyone heading to the area os advised to wear seasonal suitable walking equipment, including lights. 

Winter mountaineering equipment should be carried including snow goggles, ice axe and mountaineering crampons. 

Microspikes can also be useful lower on the mountain on less steep sections.