Mountain weather
Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for settled conditions with high pressure in charge. Moderate for visibilities.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
An overcast day, with patchy rain and drizzle.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 70% | 50% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
W
19
|
W
18
|
SW
19
|
SW
22
|
SW
19
|
W
18
|
| 600m |
W
13
|
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
SW
17
|
SW
14
|
W
13
|
| 300m |
W
8
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
SW
11
|
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
| Valley |
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
NW
9
|
NW
6
|
W
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 25 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 26 | 24 |
| 600m | 18 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 19 |
| 300m | 16 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 18 | 17 |
| Valley | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
14°
|
| Valley |
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
| Freezing Level |
3,600m
|
3,300m
|
3,100m
|
3,200m
|
3,500m
|
3,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
13°
|
| Valley |
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Low cloud will linger through the day, covering the hills. Mist and fog will also be possible in the valleys. From dawn, patchy rain and drizzle will be possible where the cloud is thickest and this will prevail through the day, with limited brightness. By the late evening, more organised rain will arrive from the north, with some heavy outbreaks.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
0 % throughout. Early low cloud will fall to the surface at times, with cloud tops rising to 1500m. Through the day, cloud will continue to fall to the surface at times and will often extend up to 1500 m.
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 mist, fog, low cloud, or drizzle.
Meteorologist's view
Some gusty westerly winds at height.
Mountain weather information
Weather
The band of rain and low cloud will linger through the early hours. Mist and fog will be likely in the valleys. The rain will become lighter and patchier, but rain and drizzle will be likely towards dawn. By the mid morning, the cloud will start to break, with sunny spells developing. It will then be sunny for the rest of the day, with little in the way of cloud.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
0 % through the early hours, with cloud lowering to the surface at times, extending above the peaks. Becoming 100 % by the late morning, with little in the way of cloud for the rest of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Surface: Northerly 15 mph gusting 25 mph. 900 m: Northwesterly 20-25 mph gusting 30-35 mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Positive 06 Celsius becoming Positive 09 Celsius.
- Valley Positive 11 Celsius becoming Positive 16 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above the peaks throughout.
Visibility
Very poor in any mist, fog, low cloud, or drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 17 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A chilly start with some early mist and fog. Then sunny spells for the rest of the day.
Wednesday 18 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A chilly start with some early mist and fog. Then plenty of sunshine and light winds.
Thursday 19 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud, mist and fog at first. Then sunny spells for the rest of the day.
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.