Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for an unsettled and changeable period of weather. Lower for rain or snow detail so please keep updated on the forecast.
This evening forecast
Dry with clear spells. Fresh westerly winds on the tops. Freezing level 800m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Mostly dry morning. Heavy rain spreading east in afternoon with very strong winds.
| 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% | 40% | 40% | 10% | 40% | >95% | >95% | >95% |
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 |
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
S
14
|
S
21
|
S
33
|
S
38
|
S
31
|
SW
27
|
| 300m |
SW
9
|
SW
9
|
S
8
|
S
9
|
S
15
|
S
23
|
S
20
|
SW
15
|
| Valley |
SW
7
|
SW
8
|
S
6
|
S
7
|
SE
9
|
SE
20
|
S
16
|
SW
12
|
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 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 27 | 43 | 51 | 42 | 37 |
| 300m | 18 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 32 | 47 | 40 | 32 |
| Valley | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 25 | 44 | 37 | 30 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,300m
|
1,700m
|
1,500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
1°
|
4°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A window of fair conditions at first but note the quick deterioration in the afternoon. Walking becoming very difficult or possibly dangerous on higher slopes and ridges with gusts of 50 to 60mph.
Weather
Clear spells and a patchy frost in the early hours, also a few showers spreading east, wintry above 600m. A mainly dry morning with bright spells then rain will spread quickly east in the afternoon, heavy at times with severe gales. There will be a brief spell of sleet or snow above 600m, before quickly turning to rain at all levels. Heavy showers following in the evening, perhaps thundery.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%, becoming 10% during the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud above 500m at first, this lifting in the morning with mostly good visibility for a few hours. However, conditions deteriorate rapidly early in the afternoon with extensive cloud developing giving very poor visibility above 400m.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 13.8mm | 16.6mm | 38.2mm |
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
A mixture of clear or bright intervals and rain showers, heavy at times with a small chance of thunder.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 20-30mph gusts 40mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 1C to 3C.
- Valley Plus 7 to 9C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud with bases 500 to 700m giving periods of very poor visibility. Good visibility on lower slopes but occasionally few km in showers.
Mountain weather information
Sun 7 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A band of rain is expected to move east in the morning accompanied by strong winds. Drier and brighter conditions following. Freezing level above summits.
Mon 8 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
This is likely to be a mostly bright day with possibly a few sharp showers. Strong to gale force southerly winds on the tops. Wet, stormy conditions perhaps arriving in evening. Freezing level above summits.
Tue 9 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A lot of uncertainty by this stage but a spell of wet and very windy conditions is likely followed by brighter weather from the southwest. Mild with freezing level above summits.
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.