Mountain weather
Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for settled conditions with a trend towards changeable weather by the weekend.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
Some early low cloud with light showers and sunny spells through the day.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 00% | 20% | 20% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
16
|
S
12
|
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
W
14
|
SW
15
|
| 600m |
S
16
|
S
13
|
SW
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
10
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
S
9
|
SW
7
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
5
|
| Valley |
S
11
|
S
9
|
SW
5
|
W
5
|
W
5
|
SW
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 21 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
| 600m | 20 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
| 300m | 19 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
| Valley | 19 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Patchy low cloud is possible at times during the morning, with bases down to 200m. This will lift from midday to above the peaks. There is a chance of a few light showers through the day, but most places will stay dry. The cloud will also not cover the peaks.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
40% in the morning with the risk of low cloud. From midday, the cloud bases will lift to above the peaks, therefore becoming 100% for the rest of 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 any low cloud. Becoming very good, with good detailing on nearby peaks.
Meteorologist's view
Some gusty winds over the peaks, especially during the early hours. UV levels will be high in the sunshine, with a risk to unprotected skin.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Isolated mist and fog patches are possible in the valleys during the early hours, but this will soon lift to sunny skies. There will be little in the way of cloud during the morning and into the mid afternoon, with light winds. However, cloud bases will lower into the evening, perhaps to 100m.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
100% until the evening, becoming less than 5% by the late evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 15mph gusting 20mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 05 Celsius becoming Plus 07 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 03 Celsius becoming Plus 16 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above the summits.
Visibility
Very poor in any mist, fog and low cloud. Becoming very good, with good detailing on nearby peaks for much of the day.
Mountain weather information
Friday 24 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early low cloud slowly lifting through the day, with clear peaks by the late afternoon. Some showers are also possible.
Saturday 25 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud covering the peaks through the day. Spots of rain and drizzle possible.
Sunday 26 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud during the morning, with patchy rain and drizzle possible. Cloud breaking into the afternoon with some sunshine and possibly clear peaks.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for SnowdoniaThe 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.