Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a very cold start to the new year in the Brecon Beacons with some snow showers at times. Some uncertainty in the day-to-day details for the snow showers so please keep up to date on the forecast.
This evening forecast
Clear spells at first then cloud spreading east across the area with some patchy fog on the tops above 600m. Fresh westerly winds and a severe wind chill on the tops. Freezing level 500m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Bright intervals and wintry showers. Windy and bitterly cold to start the New Year.
| 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) |
30% | 30% | 70% | 70% | 30% | 30% | 10% | 10% |
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 |
W
18
|
W
18
|
W
20
|
W
20
|
NW
20
|
NW
20
|
NW
20
|
NW
21
|
| 300m |
W
10
|
W
11
|
W
12
|
W
10
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
NW
8
|
NW
9
|
| Valley |
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
NW
7
|
NW
7
|
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 | 23 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 29 |
| 300m | 21 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
| Valley | 22 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
400m
|
400m
|
800m
|
800m
|
600m
|
500m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A cold day to start 2026 with a severe wind chill on the tops.
Weather
Dry with clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudy by dawn with a few showers through the morning, wintry above 500m. A brighter afternoon with a few scattered showers, falling as snow above 300 or 400m, then a mainly dry evening with clear spells and the odd wintry shower.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in morning becoming 80% in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud above 500m through the morning but mostly clearing in the afternoon. Away from cloud, visibility will be mainly good but sudden deterioration in showers, down to a few kilometres or less.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2mm | 0.6mm | 0.6mm |
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
Cloudy in the early hours with outbreaks of snow, these soon clearing in the morning. Dry with plenty of winter sunshine for the rest of the day. Feeling bitterly cold with a severe wind chill at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% becoming 80% in the morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 15 to 20mph gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Minus 3C.
- Valley Minus 1C rising to Plus 3C during daytime.
- Freezing level Ground becoming frozen at all heights.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud above 300m in the early hours, this clearing in the morning. Excellent visibility for the rest of the day.
Mountain weather information
Sat 3 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with sunny spells but a few snow showers are still possible, mainly in the west. Remaining very cold with a fresh northwest breeze on the tops. Ground frozen at all heights.
Sun 4 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and scattered snow showers. Very cold conditions continuing but winds easing. Ground frozen at all heights.
Mon 5 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Expected to remain cold but mainly dry and bright with lighter winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.