Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the unsettled theme over the next few days. Lower for cloud and precipitation detail, including the extent of heavier rain later Tuesday and the timing of the heavier rain band on Wednesday.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloud thickening and lowering through the morning, bringing outbreaks of rain.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
50% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 70% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
S
23
|
S
26
|
S
22
|
S
18
|
S
16
|
S
21
|
| 300m |
SE
7
|
S
13
|
S
14
|
S
10
|
S
7
|
S
10
|
| Valley |
E
4
|
SE
7
|
S
12
|
SE
8
|
SE
5
|
E
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 31 | 35 | 30 | 23 | 21 | 29 |
| 300m | 21 | 29 | 27 | 20 | 17 | 25 |
| Valley | 15 | 22 | 26 | 17 | 14 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
2,200m
|
2,200m
|
2,000m
|
2,200m
|
2,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Often wet and cloudy, and with a brisk breeze, it will also be feeling cold. Waterproof layers will be essential.
Weather
Cloud will thicken and lower through the morning, with outbreaks of rain interspersed with some drier intervals for much of the day. Rain will be mostly light and drizzly in nature, but some heavier bursts are likely, mainly across western hills and more widely later in the day. Brisk winds will add to the rather cool feel.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% becoming 30% by midday.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will cover most hills and routes above 800m during the morning, and will continue to thicken and lower to around 500m by midday. The odd patch of cloud could lower further, to around 400m, in any heavier bursts of rain. Outside of cloud, visibility will remain moderate to poor for much of the day, due to the occasional spells of rain or drizzle.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 16.2mm | 32.2mm |
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
Little change through the morning, with plenty of low cloud and further spells of light rain or drizzle. A band of heavier rain is then expected to move east around midday, and also bring a period of strong gusty winds. Once this clears cloud with lift with sunny spells following from mid-afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% at first, rising to 30% mid-morning and 80% by late afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 20-25 mph with gusts 30-40mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 9 Celsius rising to Plus 16 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 10 Celsius rising to Plus 15 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud obscuring most hills above 400m during the morning, with some patchy cloud possible down to 200m in the west. This lifting to around 800m during the morning, but some patches persisting at 500m. Once heavy rain band clears, cloud will lift from most summits, with just the odd patch persisting at 800m. Outside of cloud visibility will be moderate to poor, due to any rain or drizzle, but improving to be good to very good from mid-afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Thu 16 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers for much of the day. Feeling warm in the sunshine with winds lighter than on Wednesday. Freezing level above summits.
Fri 17 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain, perhaps persistent by the afternoon, although this is low confidence. Breezy again. Freezing level staying above the summits.
Sat 18 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another day of sunny spells with occasional showers. Despite winds likely being lighter than on Friday it will still be feeling chilly at times with the freezing falling to be just above the highest 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.