Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible. High confidence for unsettled, cold and windy conditions throughout this period. Lower for daily rain and snow details, especially from Tuesday.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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
Cloudy and cold at first. Strong winds, heavy rain or summit snow arriving during the afternoon.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 60% | 90% | 90% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
15
|
SE
17
|
SE
20
|
SE
25
|
SE
27
|
SE
26
|
| 300m |
E
4
|
SE
7
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
SE
14
|
SE
14
|
| Valley |
E
5
|
SE
7
|
SE
8
|
SE
8
|
SE
9
|
E
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 20 | 23 | 26 | 34 | 37 | 36 |
| 300m | 11 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 32 | 31 |
| Valley | 11 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
800m
|
900m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A cold day with a significant wind chill on the tops. Winds will strengthen through afternoon with gusts of 50mph by evening over ridges and summits above 700m. Some flooding of paths and approach roads is possible in the evening.
Weather
Largely dry and cloudy at first but with a little light rain or summit snow possible at times. Heavy rain will spread in from the west during the afternoon, falling as snow for a time above 800m, but soon turning to rain at all levels. Winds strengthening during the afternoon with gales on the high tops later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud above 400-600m with very poor visibility in cloud but generally good visibility under the cloud base. Visibility becoming widely poor or very poor as rain and summit snow arrives.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2mm | 17.8mm | 26.6mm |
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
Heavy and persistent rain overnight and to start the morning. Drier and brighter for a time then blustery and heavy showers, wintry above 600m, in the afternoon. Very windy with severe gales on high slopes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil at first, becoming 60%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 40 to 50mph gusts 60 to 70mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 3C.
- Valley Plus 7 or 8C.
- Freezing level Above summits, falling near summits later.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud above 500m at first, then cloud lifting and becoming patchy above about 700m during the morning. Outside of low cloud, visibility poor in the morning - down to a few km or less, then good at times in the afternoon between showers.
Mountain weather information
Wed 28 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showery rain clearing overnight then mainly dry with bright spells. Outbreaks of rain again later. Cold and windy with strong southeasterly winds at height, perhaps gales later. Freezing level 800m rising to just above summits.
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy and cold with outbreaks of rain or summit sleet. Strong southeast winds. Freezing level just above summits.
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain or summit snow. Strong winds may ease through the day. Freezing level near summits.
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.