Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a changeable weather pattern to persist, with some uncertainty in regards to an area of low pressure and associated rainfall moving south-eastwards late Tuesday and into Wednesday. Lower confidence regarding the timing and eastward movement of rain Friday/Saturday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Fine and dry, heavy rain arriving later.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
<5% | 10% | 30% | 10% | 50% | 90% |
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
11
|
SW
14
|
SW
17
|
SW
20
|
S
20
|
S
29
|
| 300m |
SW
5
|
SW
10
|
SW
12
|
SW
14
|
S
10
|
S
17
|
| Valley |
SW
5
|
SW
9
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
S
8
|
S
14
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 14 | 18 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 39 |
| 300m | 13 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 35 |
| Valley | 13 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 32 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
4°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,600m
|
1,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
8°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
10°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Conditions generally good on the mountains though much of the day with strong sunshine and moderate to high UV levels, therefore some sun protection will be needed. Conditions will deteriorate markedly during the afternoon as wind and rain arrives, therefore wet weather gear will also be a necessity.
Weather
Dry with clear/sunny spells into Tuesday morning, leading to a chilly start across the park. Cloud will bubble up during the morning, perhaps with an occasional light shower. Skies will turn increasingly hazy, with thickening cloud and outbreaks of rain reaching the area by early evening. The rain will become heavy and persistent overnight, with a strengthening southerly wind
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% reducing to 10% from late afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Some cloud banks with bases around 400m on western slopes initially, these may obscure some of the summits at first. However cloud bases will lift and remain mostly above the level of summits until later afternoon. Cloud bases will lower from early evening with most tops above 400m becoming obscure. Visibilities generally good throughout the day, but reducing to poor later as rain arrives.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4mm | 6.2mm | 14mm |
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
Heavy rain will continue to move eastwards overnight with sharp showers following later in the night, these will tend to clear during the morning, leaving the park largely dry with variable amounts of cloud, but there will be some brighter spells too.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% increasing to 60% from mid-morning, and the 80% by mid-afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 20-25mph, gusting to 30-35mph during the morning.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 6 Celsius becoming Plus 6 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 4 Celsius becoming Plus 15 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases below 400m at first, obscuring most summits, but bases will slowly lift during the morning, with summits becoming largely cloud free later in the day. Visibilities generally poor at first in any rain, but soon improving, becoming good.
Mountain weather information
Thu 24 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry and bright with sunny spells. Perhaps a few light showers. Breezy. Freezing levels above the summits.
Fri 25 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and settled on Friday, with sunny spells. Turning cloudier in the west late in the day, with an increasing chance of rain later. Freezing levels above the summits.
Sat 26 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy on Saturday with fragmented bands of rain moving slowly eastwards, becoming drier later in the day.
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.