Mountain weather
Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High. Moderate to low for thunderstorm timing and distribution Tuesday onwards.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Staying overcast and mostly damp and drizzly.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 30% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SW
43
|
SW
40
|
SW
38
|
SW
34
|
SW
34
|
SW
31
|
| 600m |
SW
31
|
SW
30
|
SW
29
|
SW
27
|
SW
26
|
SW
23
|
| 300m |
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
SW
18
|
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
| Valley |
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
SW
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 53 | 52 | 49 | 45 | 45 | 40 |
| 600m | 39 | 41 | 39 | 37 | 36 | 32 |
| 300m | 34 | 37 | 36 | 33 | 32 | 28 |
| Valley | 35 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 32 | 29 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
13°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
| 600m |
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
| 300m |
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
16°
|
15°
|
| Valley |
17°
|
18°
|
18°
|
18°
|
18°
|
17°
|
| Freezing Level |
3,700m
|
3,400m
|
3,000m
|
2,800m
|
2,900m
|
2,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| Valley |
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Low cloud and drizzle lingering throughout the morning, with widespread low cloud affecting the park. Drizzle easing mid morning, but returning later in the evening. Gale force south westerlies are expected over the summits through the morning, gradually moderating after lunchtime but remaining strong.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
0% with low cloud bases down to 400m, covering the summits throughout the day.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available. For archived reports see - http://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/visiting/walking/ground-conditions
Visibility
Very poor in low cloud, mist, fog, heavy rain or drizzle.
Meteorologist's view
Gales likely at height, easing slightly by the late evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Early low cloud and drizzle will prevail during the morning, but this gradually breaking through the morning to leave clear skies and widespread sunshine and high UV levels. Feeling warm. Chance of thunderstorms later in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
0% with low cloud bases down to 400m covering the summits, but increasing to 100% with low cloud breaking up to clear skies by late morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
South-easterly15mph. In any thunderstorms winds may temporarily increase to Gale force.
Temperature
- At 800m Positive 11 Celsius becoming Positive 20 Celsius.
- Valley Positive 15 Celsius becoming Positive 25 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above the peaks throughout.
Visibility
Very poor in early low cloud, mist, fog and drizzle. Soon becoming very good, with clear detailing on nearby peaks.
Mountain weather information
Wednesday 24 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early low cloud may linger in the west, with the risk of thunder during the morning. Drier and brighter into the afternoon, especially in the east.
Thursday 25 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Warm sunny spells with the risk of thunderstorms.
Friday 26 July
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early low cloud giving way to sunny spells. Risk of thunderstorms and feeling fresher.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Snowdonia mountains are made up of 90 mountain peaks including the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, standing at 1,085 metres.
The region can be divided into four areas with the northernmost area the most popular, including peaks such as Moel Hebog, Mynydd Mawr and the Nantlle Ridge. Many hikers tend to concentrate on Snowdon itself regarding it as a fine mountain. However it can become quite crowded, with the peak welcoming around half a million visitors every year, of which four fifths scale the peak on foot, while the remainder choose to take the train instead.
One of Snowdon’s main attractions is the sheer number and variety of paths that reach the peak. This means that everyone from mountaineering novices to climbing experts should find a way up the mountain that will suit their abilities or provide them with a sufficient test. The easiest is the Llanberis path which, being the longest, has the most shallow ascent. In contrast, the Watkin Path is widely seen as being the most demanding ascent, despite also being considered the prettiest.