Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for east to southeast flow persisting and summits often obscured by cloud. High for further rain throughout much of the period, with some snow possible at height. However, any details, including snow levels and timing of any drier intervals, remain low confidence.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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 with occasional snow and rain. Severe wind chill. Windy.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
60% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
E
22
|
E
21
|
E
20
|
E
16
|
E
15
|
SE
14
|
| 300m |
E
11
|
E
13
|
E
12
|
E
10
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
| Valley |
E
8
|
E
9
|
E
10
|
E
9
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 30 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 20 | 18 |
| 300m | 24 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 15 |
| Valley | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 13 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
700m
|
600m
|
700m
|
700m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Be prepared for winter conditions with snow and a severe chill with summit gales. Low cloud and snow will also bring some very difficult navigation conditions. Some difficult descents are likely as freezing levels rise and paths and rocks see inconsistent thawing of icy areas.
Weather
A rather cloudy day with occasional outbreaks of snow and rain, focused across eastern areas, where it could persist for much of the day. Best chance of drier periods across western parts. Snow level will be around 800m at first, but falling to around 500m during the afternoon, perhaps with some brief blizzard conditions, before rising again through the evening with any snow turning back to rain. This rain easing after dark.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% in the east, 20% in the west.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will be extensive, obscuring hills above 400m, especially in the east, but 600m at times in the west. Any spells of more persistent rain or snow could be accompanied by cloud lowering to obscure hills down to 300m. Visibility will be Moderate to poor in the rain and very poor in snow, and falling to near zero with any temporary blizzard conditions. Perhaps some periods of good visibility in the west.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 5.6mm | 18.2mm |
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
Areas of valley fog possible to start. A cloudy day follows, with only a few outbreaks of light drizzle in the east. Cloud will gradually break and lift through the afternoon as the winds also strengthen. Some late brighter or sunny spells possible.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at first, then 70% by the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 20-25mph gusting 30-35mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 2 Celsius rising Plus 4 Celsius
- Valley Plus 4 Celsius rising to Plus 8 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will be extensive, obscuring hills above 500m through the morning, and potentially down to 300m in the east. Cloud lifting and breaking through the afternoon, to become 600m in the east with cloud patchier at around 800m in the west. Visibility will be moderate to good, but poor in any drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but turning colder again, with brisk east to southeasterly winds. Periods of rain, perhaps some brief wet snow above 800m. Freezing level above summits, perhaps briefly falling to 800m.
Fri 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another cold, cloudy day, with rain, perhaps snow above 800m and brisk winds. Precipitation perhaps turning persistent for some eastern hills. Freezing level above summits, but falling close at times.
Sat 7 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying unsettled with further rain. Lower chance of any summit snow, with freezing level above summits and rising compared to previous days.
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.