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Updated: 2306 on Fri 3 Feb 2012
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Snowdonia: latest pressure

Friday, 3 February 2012: dawn to dusk

Printable view Forecast issued: 1752 on Friday, 3 February 2012

Overview for Saturday

A cloudy start, with rain, sleet and snow spreading in from the west, coupled with lowering hill fog and strengthening winds.

Hazards Risk Explanation
Blizzards Low Snowfall will be coupled with windspeeds of around 45mph later on.
Heavy snow Medium Spells of snow will become increasingly heavy and persistent during the afternoon.
Storm force winds No Risk  
Gales Medium Winds will reach southwesterly gale later on.
Severe chill effect High Low temperatures coupled with rain, snow and brisk winds will lead to a high risk of windchill.
Persistent and extensive hill fog Medium Hill fog will steadily thicken and lower to valley floors by dusk, particularly in snowfall.
Thunderstorms No Risk  
Heavy persistent rain Medium Snow will progressively turn to rain later in the afternoon.
Strong Sunlight No Risk  

key to hazards and forecast content

Weather summary and probability of precipitation for Saturday
Dawn to 0900 0900 to 1200 1200 to 1500 1500 to dusk
Cloudy
Cloudy 		Heavy snow
Heavy snow 		Sleet
Sleet 		Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain
20% 60% 70-90% 70-90%

Detailed mountain weather forecast: Snowdonia

Saturday

Weather

A cold and cloudy start, with spells of rain sleet and snow making their way in from the west soon after dawn. Conditions will deteriorate as the day progresses, with hill fog lowering from 800m to 300m by mid-afternoon, lowering further still in any more prolonged snowfall, more likely over the east in the afternoon. Windchill will become increasingly marked as the day progresses, eventually reaching gale-force by dusk.

Visibility

Generally moderate, occasionally poor in snowfall. Very poor in hill fog.

Hill fog

800m and lowering to 300m by mid-afternoon, occasionally valley floors in snowfall.

Maximum winds above 500m

Increasing to southwesterly 45mph.

Temperature

Valleys Minus 8 Celsius locally, becoming plus 4 later.
900 m Minus 3 becoming plus 2 Celsius.
Freezing level Generally ground level, rising above the summits by dusk.

Sunday

Weather

A cold start with patchy valley fog, particularly over remaining areas of lying snow. This will clear to a dry and bright morning, although rather cloudy. Cloud will lower later in the morning to affect the higher reaches of the range during the afternoon, coupled with further spells of mostly light rain and sleet. Winds will start brisk northwesterly but ease during the day.

Visibility

Very poor in early valley fog. Otherwise good.

Hill fog

Early valley fog should clear during the morning. Patches around the higher summits possible later.

Maximum winds above 500m

Northwesterly 30mph, easing.

Temperature

Valleys Minus 2 becoming 5 Celsius.
900 m Minus 1 Celsius.
Freezing level 700m.

Outlook

Monday

A milder start than of late, although still with frost. Rather cloudy for much of the day with spells of rain and sleet likely. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing levels rising clear of the summits.

Tuesday

Again a rather cloudy day, with rain easing in situ to leave a drier afternoon. Moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels above the summits.

Wednesday

A dry and bright start, perhaps with some sunny spells, but becoming increasingly cloudy with spells of heavy rain later. Brisk and increasing southwesterly winds.

Latest: 03/02/2012 10:29 Frozen ground at all levels. Light snow above 400 metres. 20cm of snow at 400 metres. Areas of old light snow above 400metres.

  Description Special equipment/advice

Frozen ground.
Frozen ground.

  • Streams and wet areas could be frozen.
  • Wet surfaces usually coated in ice and treacherous.
  • Thawing snow might refreeze.
  • Steep sections of paths could be extremely treacherous and the possibility of a slip or fall is very high.
  • Crampons and walking poles might be required even on established paths.
  Description Special equipment/advice

Light snow.
Light snow.

  • Depth increases with height and drift.
  • Paths may be difficult to follow and established paths indistinct.
  • Compacted snow on paths makes progress difficult.
  • Steep sections of paths could be extremely treacherous and the possibility of a slip or fall is very high.
  • Full weight mountaineering boots are recommended.
  • Carry and know how to use crampons and ice axe.
  • In poor visibility or whiteout conditions navigation skills and techniques will be required.

Observations

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Weather warnings for Wales

Weather forecast for Wales

The Enhanced Mountain forecast for Snowdonia has been discontinued. All forecast information for these locations can be found in the standard Mountain forecast above.

North East England West Midlands Grampian South West England Central, Tayside & Fife Northern Ireland North West England East of England Highlands & Eilean Siar Strathclyde Wales East Midlands SW Scotland, Lothian Borders London & South East England Yorkshire & Humber