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 an unsettled period with spells of rain, low cloud, and strong winds. These likely rain across all levels, except the highest hills, where brief wintry spells are possible, however the details are low confidence. Moderate confidence for most hills seeing drier conditions on Wednesday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Rain, perhaps wintry on summits, clearing to some brighter spells but also showers. Windy.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
>95% | 80% | 60% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
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
30
|
S
25
|
S
30
|
S
27
|
SW
23
|
S
16
|
| 300m |
SE
14
|
S
11
|
S
16
|
S
16
|
SW
13
|
SW
9
|
| Valley |
SE
11
|
S
9
|
S
15
|
S
14
|
SW
11
|
SW
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 40 | 33 | 38 | 35 | 32 | 23 |
| 300m | 34 | 27 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 22 |
| Valley | 30 | 24 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
4°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,900m
|
1,200m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A very wet start, with slippery conditions underfoot. Winds will also be strong, exceeding 50mph at times above 800m. While some drier conditions follow from late morning, further showers are likely, and these could bring some temporary wintry conditions on summits. Warm and waterproof layers will be essential.
Weather
Rain at all levels, will turn heavier for a time before clearing later in the morning. Severe gales are also likely over the highest tops. Some bright or sunny spells developing for a time during the afternoon, but also occasional showers. These perhaps turning wintry, with some sleet or brief wet snow above 800m
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% improving to 80%.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud will obscure routes about 300m through the morning. Very few breaks likely until the afternoon when cloud will begin to lift and clear with some brightness possible. Occasional cloud sill obscuring hills above 600m at times. Visibility will be moderate to poor in the morning rain but becoming good during the afternoon.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 11.8mm | 13mm | 29.6mm |
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
Variable cloud and some brighter spells, but also the odd shower. These possible at any point, but most likely early in the day or later in the afternoon, and most western hills are likely to remain dry for much of the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% in the west, 60% in the east.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 15-20mph gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 2 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 1 rising to Plus 7 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered cloud at 600m through the morning. While this will lift to mainly cover hills above 800m later in the day, cloud could also become more extensive, mainly in the east. Visibility moderate in the morning but becoming good or very good. Falling to moderate again in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud, especially across eastern hills, where routes above 500m could be obscured until after midday. Rain spreading east after dark. Windy. Freezing level above summits.
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of light rain, most likely early in the day, and again after dark. Perhaps some brighter spells through the afternoon. Freezing level above summits.
Sat 31 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining changeable, with periods of rain interspersed with some drier intervals, and cloud occasionally obscuring tops. Freezing level above 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.