Mountain weather
Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally unsettled conditions through the next few days. Main forecasting challenge will be for the timings of various rain bands,
This evening forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times with sleet on the highest summits, then becoming dry late in the evening. Strong east or southeast winds with severe wind chill on the tops.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Low cloud with outbreaks of rain. Strong winds in morning but easing.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 80% | 80% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 60% |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
E
30
|
E
32
|
E
32
|
E
29
|
E
20
|
E
11
|
E
7
|
SE
7
|
| 600m |
E
23
|
E
22
|
E
23
|
E
21
|
E
15
|
E
10
|
E
5
|
SE
5
|
| 300m |
E
12
|
E
10
|
E
12
|
E
10
|
E
8
|
E
6
|
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
| Valley |
E
12
|
E
10
|
E
12
|
E
10
|
E
8
|
E
6
|
SE
3
|
S
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 38 | 40 | 41 | 37 | 27 | 16 | 10 | 10 |
| 600m | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 7 |
| 300m | 27 | 24 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 8 | 6 |
| Valley | 27 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Dry at midnight but rain arriving, heavy at times in the early hours. Rain will turn more patchy and drizzly in nature in the morning but heavier bursts of rain returning in the afternoon. Becoming mainly dry late in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Almost zero chance. Extensive cloud with bases mainly 600 to 700m with patches on lower slopes. Bases lifting onto higher slopes at times across the far west of Snowdonia.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available. For archived reports see - http://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/visiting/walking/ground-conditions
Visibility
Below the cloud base, visibility generally misty or hazy.
Meteorologist's view
Easterly winds gusting 50mph across exposed ridges and summits at first but slowly easing through the day. Feeling cold on the tops.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with light rain or drizzle on and off through the morning but dying out in the afternoon. Outbreaks of heavier rain will spread in from the southwest through the evening with wet snow above 1000m.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Almost zero in morning becoming 70% for a few hours in afternoon. Extensive cloud above 400 or 500m lifting and breaking in afternoon but returning again in evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southeast 10-15mph, gusts 25mph, increasing to 25-35mph gusts 45mph in evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4C.
- Valley Plus 9 or 10C falling to 7C in evening.
- Freezing level Well above summits, falling in afternoon to lies just above the summits.
Visibility
Below the cloud it will be misty or hazy through the morning then improving in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Monday 25 November
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain overnight clearing to bright spells and scattered showers, some heavy and thundery. Strong southerly winds at first, slowly easing. Freezing level above summits.
Tuesday 26 November
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with spells of rain, heavy at times, but perhaps becoming drier in the afternoon. Light southerly winds.
Wednesday 27 November
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly cloudy with showery rain, turning to sleet or snow above 900m later. Feeling colder with fresh northeasterly winds on the tops.
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.