Mountain weather
Eryri / Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a return to milder conditions and wet and windy weather from the southwest. Low confidence in weather forecast towards the weekend especially wind direction and rain amounts. Also low confidence in amount of showers later in the week.
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.
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.
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 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 wet morning with heavy rain at times across the area and strong southerly winds, summit gales, becoming gradually milder during the day.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 70% | 70% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
37
|
S
49
|
S
44
|
SW
32
|
SW
30
|
SW
28
|
| 600m |
S
29
|
S
35
|
S
30
|
SW
22
|
SW
20
|
S
18
|
| 300m |
SE
19
|
S
24
|
S
21
|
S
14
|
SW
13
|
S
13
|
| Valley |
SE
19
|
S
24
|
S
21
|
S
15
|
SW
13
|
S
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 44 | 58 | 55 | 40 | 37 | 36 |
| 600m | 35 | 44 | 39 | 29 | 27 | 25 |
| 300m | 32 | 39 | 35 | 25 | 23 | 23 |
| Valley | 31 | 39 | 35 | 26 | 24 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,300m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Summit gales are likely for much of the day and with the damp conditions a significant windchill is expected. Turning milder as the day goes on but very poor visibility at all levels during the day.
Weather
Sleet or snow at high levels will gradually turn to rain at all levels as it spreads east. Rain is likely to be heaviest around mid-morning with some drier interludes in the west by late morning. Although the main band of rain clears east it will remain damp and drizzly for most areas in the afternoon with further showers possible, perhaps clearing in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% falling to 20% or less by mid morning as cloud lowers in association with the band of rain moving across the area.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy or scattered low cloud layers above 600m in the morning, mainly confined western hills at first. Cloud will thicken, lower, cloud layers above 300m in the afternoon. Low cloud becomes extensive during the day with visibility becoming poor in rain and drizzle and navigation will be tricky at height. Some brighter spells may be found later in the afternoon.
Ground conditions
Please see - https://snowdonia.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/yr-wyddfa-ground-conditions-reports/
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy but mainly dry at first but cloud and rain spreading east in the morning with heavy rain at times. Dry for a time in the afternoon but further heavy showery rain expected at times later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, cloud coming and going from the summits during the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 20 gust 35 mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 Celsius
- Valley Plus 11 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above all summits
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered or broken low cloud layers above 400m at times throughout the day, chance of some brighter conditions and cloud free summits in the afternoon but depends on the timing of showery rain.
Mountain weather information
Thu 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Strong southwesterly winds, gales likely, will push some showers across the area on Thursday. Freezing level remaining above the summits.
Fri 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers continuing, winds mainly westerly and gust at times.
Sat 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Likely to be dull with rain at times but low confidence in the forecast towards the weekend.
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 Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains are made up of 90 mountain peaks including the tallest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (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 Yr Wyddfa (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 Yr Wyddfa's (Snowdon) 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.