Mountain weather
Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Low confidence in the details of rain and summit snow on Saturday and the extent and duration of rain on Saturday night into Sunday morning. High confidence in a drier and warmer spell of weather early next week but low confidence on when cooler and more unsettled weather will return.
This evening forecast
Mostly cloudy this evening with the odd shower.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Chilly and often damp with rain and drizzle at times and summit fog and snow.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 60% | 80% | 90% | 60% | 40% | 20% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
NE
13
|
E
15
|
NE
18
|
E
18
|
NE
17
|
NE
16
|
NE
15
|
NE
16
|
| 300m |
NE
8
|
NE
9
|
NE
11
|
E
12
|
NE
13
|
NE
12
|
NE
11
|
NE
9
|
| Valley |
NE
7
|
NE
8
|
NE
9
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
NE
10
|
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 18 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
| 300m | 16 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
| Valley | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
900m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Feeling very cold for late April on the summits with the risk of severe wind chill due to air temperatures close to freezing, a brisk wind and periods of rain, sleet and snow. Prepare for winter conditions if venturing to the summits and take extra layers including a waterproof outer layer. Lengthy periods of hill fog will result in poor visibilities and make for challenging navigation, especially over featureless terrain.
Weather
Mainly dry through the early hours but an increasing chance of light showers developing. More general rain is likely by around dawn making for quite a wet Saturday morning with some heavier bursts of rain in places. Drier spells at times during the afternoon but still a risk of periods of rain or drizzle. If skies brighten at all then there's a very low chance of a late afternoon heavy shower or thunderstorm. More persistent rain, heavy at times, arriving by around midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods of cloud above 500-600m during the early hours and until mid-morning and then persistent cloud above 500m for the remainder of the day with periods of cloud above 400m during any prolonged periods of rain. Poor or very poor visibility for most of the day on the summits and varying between good and moderate at valley level as the periods of rain and drizzle come and go.
Recent rainfall
Location: Neuadd (Near Pontsticill)
Altitude: 353m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2mm | 0.2mm | 1mm |
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
Rain is possible during the early hours, mainly in the east and perhaps heavy over the Black Mountains in particular. Any rain soon clearing after dawn but staying rather cloudy through the morning. Turning brighter during the afternoon with sunny spells developing. Dry and clear by the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% first thing, becoming 90% by mid-afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly or northwesterly 15mph gusting 25 mph, easing later.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 3 Celsius rising to plus 7 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 3 Celsius rising to plus 12 Celsius.
- Freezing level Just above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud above 400-500m at first, becoming more broken above 700m during the morning and lifting clear of the summits through the afternoon. Poor or very poor visibility first thing at higher levels but becoming very good with excellent air clarity across the whole of the National Park by mid-afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Mon 29 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with sunny spells, especially early and late with cloudier skies at times. The outside chance of a shower. Feeling warmer but with a moderate to strong southerly wind developing. Freezing levels well above the summits.
Tue 30 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Slightly warmer again and probably staying generally dry with bright or sunny intervals but also a lot of cloud. Moderate to strong southeasterly winds. Freezing levels well above the summits.
Wed 1 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some uncertainty regarding the details with an increasing chance of some rain at times but staying relatively warm with bright or sunny spells. Light to moderate winds from the east or south. Freezing levels well above the summits.
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.