Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for southeast flow persisting also for relatively unsettled, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Rain and summit snow from late morning, turning heavier and more persistent for the afternoon, as summit gales develop.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
<05% | 10% | 70% | >95% | 80% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
27
|
SE
36
|
SE
37
|
SE
35
|
S
22
|
S
18
|
| 300m |
SE
11
|
SE
19
|
SE
21
|
SE
19
|
S
12
|
S
10
|
| Valley |
E
5
|
SE
13
|
SE
19
|
SE
17
|
S
10
|
S
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 33 | 45 | 48 | 47 | 29 | 23 |
| 300m | 26 | 39 | 43 | 40 | 25 | 21 |
| Valley | 17 | 33 | 42 | 38 | 24 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Potentially hazardous conditions for the afternoon with summit gales, combined with extensive hill fog and summit snow. Also severe wind chill effect for higher routes.
Weather
A largely dry start, with some brighter spells. However, a band of cloud and rain, heavy at times, will move north-eastwards from late-morning, turning occasionally wintry over the highest peaks by this evening. Rain clearing during the evening to leave drier conditions, with some clear spells developing after dusk.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60-70% becoming 10% for the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases becoming extensive from 600m from late morning, with patches lower down for the afternoon.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1mm | 3.8mm | 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
After a dry start, cloud and rain will spread northwards during the day. The rain is likely to be heavy at times, perhaps turning a little wintry on the highest peaks. Strong to gale southeast summit winds bringing severe wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10-20%
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast mean 25-35mph with gusts reaching 50mph across exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 2 Celsius increasing 5 Celsius later
- Valley Plus 4 Celsius increasing 11 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Generally good at first, becoming poor or very poor in rain or snow, with quite extensive cloud from 600m.
Mountain weather information
Thu 22 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dull with rain, most of this light. Strong southeast summit winds bringing a severe wind chill to most. Freezing level above all summits.
Fri 23 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers or longer periods of rain, with snow at times across highest peaks, but also some drier brighter conditions about, chiefly later in the day. Strong southeast summit winds bringing a severe wind chill here. Freezing level above all summits.
Sat 24 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Brighter spells and scattered showers, these wintry across higher routes. Fresh east to southeast summit winds.
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.