Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible. Confidence is medium for some wintry conditions however with colder conditions in the east and milder conditions in the west make details of wintry conditions tricky at times. Accumulations of snow on the higher summits is likely later on Tuesday. A period of very strong winds with widespread gales expected on Tuesday. Drier on Wednesday but remaining cold with strong winds at times.
This evening forecast
Outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain through the evening accompanied by fresh winds, Southeasterly 15 gusts 25mph. Feeling very cold with a significant windchill expected.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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 Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A very wet and windy day with heavy rain turning to sleet on the higher summits, accompanied by strong winds, possible summit gales, feeling cold with very poor visibility likely.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
90% | 90% | 90% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
32
|
SE
34
|
SE
28
|
S
24
|
S
28
|
S
28
|
S
25
|
S
19
|
| 300m |
E
14
|
SE
17
|
SE
15
|
S
13
|
S
16
|
S
16
|
S
15
|
S
11
|
| Valley |
E
12
|
E
15
|
SE
11
|
S
10
|
S
15
|
S
14
|
S
13
|
S
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 42 | 45 | 39 | 32 | 38 | 37 | 34 | 26 |
| 300m | 32 | 38 | 33 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 25 |
| Valley | 30 | 35 | 29 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 24 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,500m
|
2,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A cold day with gales in the morning. Freezing level falling later in the day towards the summits with showers turning wintry.
Weather
Heavy and persistent rain through the night will continue on Tuesday morning with some localised flooding possible. Rain will ease during the morning with a few hours of drier weather and some brightness developing. During the afternoon showers will develop and some of these may turn to sleet on the higher summits. There will be bright or sunny spells between showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% improving to 70%, overcast cloud to low levels will accompany rain will lift and clear during the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
During the morning cloud layers will be overcast above 3-400m with poor visibility in rain. By mid morning cloud will begin to lift and clear with some brightness possible. Visibility will be poor or very poor in rain becoming good during the afternoon. Visibility may dip moderate in any sleet showers during the afternoon. The higher summits may see some snow accumulations later in the day.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6mm | 9.2mm | 21.8mm |
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
Cloudy at first on Wednesday but mostly dry with some bright spells developing during the morning. Feeling very cold in fresh southeasterly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% rising to 70%, cloud lifting for a time during the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 15-20mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Zero Celsius.
- Valley Plus 1 rising to 5 Celsius.
- Freezing level 800m
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of scattered cloud above 500m in the morning will lift for a time with most tops becoming cloud free during the afternoon. Visibility moderate in the morning but becoming good or very good.
Mountain weather information
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with the risk of some mist and fog in the morning, perhaps some sleet or snow in the afternoon. Fresh or strong southeasterly winds and freezing level around 8-900m.
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of light rain/sleet or snow, wintry above 900m fresh southeasterly winds.
Sat 31 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but mostly dry, risk of mist and fog and remaining cold with southeasterly winds continuing.
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.