Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled and changeable conditions, but lowering for the detail later in the period.
This evening forecast
Area of snow spreading from the west, occasionally turning heavy towards midnight, with blizzards, severe wind chill, extensive hill fog and gale to severe gale summit winds bringing hazardous conditions.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Poor Visibility
Poor visibility presents challenging route finding conditions. Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references, especially on featureless moors or plateaux. Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
Severe Chill Effect
Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia.
Mountain weather forecast
Showers or longer periods of rain by day. Strong summit winds. Freezing level lifted by dawn.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
>95% | 70% | 30% | 30% | 90% | 40% | 30% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
S
39
|
S
33
|
S
21
|
S
14
|
SW
20
|
W
24
|
W
24
|
W
23
|
| 300m |
S
18
|
S
22
|
S
15
|
S
7
|
SW
12
|
W
14
|
W
14
|
W
14
|
| Valley |
S
6
|
S
15
|
S
12
|
SW
3
|
SW
9
|
W
14
|
W
13
|
W
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 50 | 44 | 29 | 19 | 27 | 32 | 33 | 32 |
| 300m | 44 | 48 | 32 | 18 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
| Valley | 29 | 42 | 30 | 8 | 22 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
500m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
1,100m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-11°
|
-9°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-5°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds 10-15mph stronger than the speeds above across most exposed ridges and summits, with gales during the early hours. Some difficult conditions at height in quite extensive hill fog, driving rain, severe wind chill and strong winds.
Weather
Overcast at first overnight with periods of snow that turn heavy at times, with blizzard conditions at height, but turning to rain at all levels towards dawn, as drier conditions develop. Rather cloudy start to the day with patchy rain. Outbreaks turning heavier and more persistent late morning and early afternoon, before breaking to scattered showers and some brighter spells from mid-afternoon, with some wet snow returning to the highest peaks for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% becoming 50% by late afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m at first, before lifting and breaking from mid-afternoon.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8mm | 8.8mm | 13.4mm |
Measurement date:
Rainfall data provided by Natural Resources Wales. The Met Office is not responsible for content provided by third parties and may remove this data without warning.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A rather cloudy start with frequent showers, these wintry above around 700-800m. Showers easing during the afternoon as brighter spells appear. Strong summit winds, bringing a further severe wind chill at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% becoming 60% by late afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
West to northwest 20-30mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across most exposed ridges and summits
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 2-3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 3 Celsius increasing 7 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 800-900m
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m at first before lifting and breaking from mid-afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Tue 17 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry morning with some brighter spells appearing through the veil of higher cloud. Increasing risk of rain and snow feeding from the south later in the day. Fresh winds veering northeast for the afternoon. Freezing level around 700m.
Wed 18 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Occasional snow, below 600m rain, turning heavy at times. Fresh to strong summit winds.
Thu 19 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and occasionally bright. Freezing level around 500-700m. Fresh to strong winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales comprising six main peaks, with the highest peak, Pen y Fan, standing at 886 metres.