Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the unsettled and often very windy conditions prevailing during the next few days, but with a much brighter day expected on Friday after a wet Thursday afternoon.
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.
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.
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
A mainly dry start, but rain arriving mid morning and turning heavy for a time into afternoon. Strong winds at height.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 60% | 90% | 80% | 40% | 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 |
SW
15
|
S
22
|
S
19
|
S
19
|
SW
24
|
SW
22
|
| 300m |
SW
7
|
S
10
|
S
8
|
SW
6
|
SW
14
|
SW
13
|
| Valley |
SW
3
|
S
8
|
S
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
12
|
W
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 19 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 32 | 29 |
| 300m | 17 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 29 | 28 |
| Valley | 15 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 28 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,800m
|
1,600m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Further heavy rain following on from recent conditions will result in very wet underfoot conditions with high watercourses making any river crossings hazardous, perhaps impassable. Some flooding of footpaths and access roads is possible.
Weather
Outbreaks of rain arrive by mid-morning, this turning heavy in the afternoon with drenching conditions for a time. Rain then eases late afternoon to leave a few scattered showers for the evening. Occasional strong winds at height, perhaps gale force gusts, especially in the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% decreasing to 10%.
Low cloud and visibility
Patches of cloud around 400-600m in the morning with generally good visibility otherwise. Visibility then deteriorating to a couple of kilometres or less in rain, with cloud bases thickening and lowering down to 300m at times early afternoon.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 26.4mm | 27.2mm | 46.4mm |
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 bright and blustery day with sunny spells and a few passing scattered showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Gusting 35-45mph at height.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 4 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 4 rising 8 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1100m
Low cloud and visibility
Patches of cloud down to around 600m in any showers, otherwise mainly clear with good visibility.
Mountain weather information
Sat 20 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Strong winds with a risk of gales at height. A dry and bright start but turning cloudier with outbreaks of rain. Freezing level 1200m.
Sun 21 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Fairly cloudy with a few outbreaks of rain. Freezing level 1200m. Moderate to fresh summit winds.
Mon 22 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining rather cloudy with a risk of a few spells of rain. Fresh to strong summit winds and freezing level well 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.