Mountain weather
Eryri / Snowdonia 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 snow 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with occasional snow and rain. Severe wind chill. Summit gales
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
E
46
|
E
46
|
E
39
|
E
36
|
E
29
|
E
22
|
| 600m |
E
28
|
E
27
|
E
25
|
E
24
|
E
20
|
E
18
|
| 300m |
E
24
|
E
22
|
E
20
|
E
19
|
E
16
|
E
13
|
| Valley |
E
24
|
SE
22
|
SE
20
|
SE
19
|
E
15
|
SE
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 55 | 56 | 48 | 45 | 40 | 31 |
| 600m | 45 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 33 | 28 |
| 300m | 44 | 41 | 37 | 35 | 31 | 26 |
| Valley | 44 | 41 | 37 | 35 | 30 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
600m
|
500m
|
500m
|
500m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-11°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Be prepared for winter conditions with snow and a severe chill with summit gales. Low cloud and snow, including some spindrift of any lying snow, will also bring some very difficult navigation conditions. Full winter equipment and clothing will be needed, including snow goggles, especially at height.
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 seeing limited brighter spells will be across western hills. Snow level around 400m, and given the blustery winds, some temporary blizzard conditions are possible on highest routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% in the east, 30% in the west.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will be extensive, obscuring hills above 500m in the east, but lifting to 800m 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.
Ground conditions
Please see - https://yrwyddfa.live/
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy start with any snow turning to rain across at all levels through the morning. However, rain also soon clearing, leaving a mostly dry but cloudy day, 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, mainly across western hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at first, then 40% in the east and 60% in the west by the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 30-35mph gusting 50mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 Celsius rising Plus 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 4 Celsius rising to Plus 8 Celsius
- Freezing level 600m rising above summits around dawn.
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, snow above 600m, becoming persistent, especially across eastern hills. Freezing level falling to 600m.
Fri 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another cold and cloudy day, with periods of rain and snow above 500m and brisk winds. Precipitation perhaps turning persistent for some eastern hills. Freezing level 600m
Sat 7 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying unsettled with further rain. Still a chance of some summit snow, however freezing levels are likely to rise a little compared to previous days, to around 800m
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 Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains are made up of 90 mountain peaks including the tallest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), standing at 1,085 metres.