Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for cold conditions continuing over the weekend with a cold Arctic air mass over the United Kingdom, temperatures at low levels are unlikely to rise above zero. Some snow showers may drift into the area at times.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Early snow showers clearing to a dry and sunny, but very cold feeling day.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
NW
20
|
NW
19
|
NW
21
|
N
20
|
NW
14
|
NW
15
|
| 300m |
NW
5
|
NW
6
|
NW
10
|
N
9
|
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
| Valley |
NW
5
|
W
6
|
NW
9
|
NW
8
|
NW
7
|
NW
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 22 |
| 300m | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 15 |
| Valley | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
-2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
100m
|
100m
|
0m
|
0m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-11°
|
-11°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 300m |
-5°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| Valley |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Very cold conditions with freezing conditions at all levels and ice in places, extra care should be taken for icy conditions. Strong winds at higher levels will enhance the cold feel and it will be hard to stay warm.
Weather
Scattered snow showers to all levels very early morning but becoming confined to the far west of the Park, near Black Mountain, or further west than this, by mid-morning. Otherwise a dry and sunny day is expected. Feeling very cold though with blustery north-westerly winds enhancing the severe wind-chill. Dry and clear this evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%, increasing greater than 95% by mid-morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud with bases temporarily around 500-600m until mid-morning, mainly in snow showers. Otherwise perhaps a few patches of cloud around 600m at times, mainly in the west. Generally excellent visibility with far reaching views available, but locally very poor in morning snow showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6mm | 3.4mm | 3.6mm |
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
Another mainly dry and bright but very cold day, increasing risk of passing snow showers during the afternoon and evening. Fresh north-westerly winds will enhance the cold feel and with such cold temperatures ice should be expected on untreated surfaces.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% becoming 60% from the afternoon onwards.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 25-30mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Minus 4 Celsius
- Valley Minus 4 rising to Zero Celsius
- Freezing level Surface level
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud around 600m or so in the morning, but more frequent to other parts of the Park by the afternoon, especially in or near snow showers. Generally excellent visibility, but locally poor in snow showers.
Mountain weather information
Mon 5 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cold but dry and bright conditions continuing with fresh northwesterly winds and excellent visibility.
Tue 6 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Winds likely to come round to the west with a risk of snow and poor visibility, remaining cold with freezing level 400m or less.
Wed 7 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Details uncertain but remaining cold with more cloud and an increasing risk of wintry showers.
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.