Mountain weather
Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for the next 3 days. Low confidence in detail for cloud and rain detail on Wednesday.
This evening forecast
Largely dry on Saturday evening with clear spells and partly cloudy skies. A small chance of a brief light shower, mainly on north facing slopes.
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 Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A dry start with sunny spells. Rain arriving in the evening.
| 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% | 20% | 20% | <05% | <05% | 10% | 10% | 80% |
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 |
NE
12
|
N
8
|
NW
12
|
NW
12
|
W
14
|
W
19
|
W
25
|
W
27
|
| 600m |
NE
7
|
NE
5
|
NW
6
|
NW
9
|
W
12
|
W
15
|
SW
16
|
W
20
|
| 300m |
NE
4
|
S
3
|
NW
2
|
NW
6
|
W
10
|
W
11
|
SW
11
|
W
14
|
| Valley |
E
3
|
S
3
|
W
3
|
NW
6
|
W
10
|
W
12
|
SW
11
|
W
15
|
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 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 26 | 33 | 37 |
| 600m | 9 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 29 |
| 300m | 7 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 26 |
| Valley | 7 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,800m
|
2,300m
|
2,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds nearing gale force at the mountain tops by the end of the day as heavy rain arrives.
Weather
A dry and chilly start to the day with sunny spells and a small chance of the odd light shower. There may be some temporary morning mist patches in valleys. Skies will cloud over in the afternoon ahead of a band of persistent rain arriving in the evening, turning heavy at times. Winds will increase in the evening time too, becoming blustery by the end of the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%, becoming 20% from 22:00.
Low cloud and visibility
Early mist or fog in valleys may cover some slopes and summits as it lifts and clears through the morning. Cloud will generally remain above the summits, but may drop to cover summits above 700m for a time, particularly in any showers, and will lower to around 500m by the evening.
Ground conditions
Please see - https://www.eryri.llyw.cymru/visiting/walking/ground-conditions
Mountain weather information
Weather
A band of rain will arrive from the northwest and move southwards through the early hours. Rain clearing later to leave sunshine and showers, some of which may be heavy. Brisk, sometimes gale-force, northwesterly winds with a significant wind chill. Freezing level above summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% throughout the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 25mph gusting 40-45mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 5 Celsius, rising to plus 13 Celsius/
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will generally be above the summits, occasionally lowering to 600m in any heavy showers.
Mountain weather information
Tue 27 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells with the odd shower possible, with a risk of wintry outbreaks over the highest summits. Strong northwesterly winds with a significant wind chill. Freezing level above the summits.
Wed 28 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another showery day on Wednesday with sunny spells at times. Winds easing slightly with fresh northwesterlies, but still feeling chilly. Freezing level above the summits.
Thu 29 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry with partly cloudy skies. And some bright spells. A chance of a few showers. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.
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 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.