Mountain weather
Snowdonia Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Low confidence for any brighter weather on Tuesday and the liklihood of brighter spells in the east. Higher confidence for the return to colder, wintry conditions on Wednesday with some snowfall on the welsh mountains.
This evening forecast
Rain continuing throughout the evening, mostly light but a few heavier bursts around Snowdonia. Strong northwesterly winds continuing, touching gale force at times on the mountain tops.
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.
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.
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
A wet, cloudy and dull day with strong west or northwesterly winds.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 70% | 70% |
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 |
W
35
|
W
32
|
W
31
|
W
29
|
W
25
|
SW
29
|
SW
39
|
W
39
|
| 600m |
W
25
|
W
22
|
W
21
|
W
20
|
W
17
|
SW
21
|
SW
28
|
W
28
|
| 300m |
W
16
|
W
14
|
W
14
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
SW
14
|
SW
18
|
W
19
|
| Valley |
W
17
|
W
15
|
W
15
|
W
14
|
W
12
|
SW
14
|
SW
18
|
W
20
|
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 | 43 | 40 | 39 | 36 | 33 | 38 | 51 | 52 |
| 600m | 32 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 29 | 39 | 40 |
| 300m | 29 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 26 | 35 | 36 |
| Valley | 30 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 34 | 36 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,300m
|
2,000m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gale force gusts higher on the moutnains especially later in the day will make walking conditions difficult at times. Milder air at first but feeling cold again later in the day as freezing level falls again.
Weather
Cloudy overnight with a few outbreaks of mainly light rain. Remaining similar during daylight hours with intermittent rain throughout the day with a few drier spells more likely around southern Snowdonia. During the evening a heavier band of rain will cross the area with a few hours of very wet and windy conditions.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
20%, widespread low cloud throughout the day associated with light and patchy rain and then heavier rain in the evening.
Visibility
Visibility will be poor or very poor for most of the day with the combination of overcast low cloud and rain. Perhaps a few brighter periods might break through around Bala and the south. Cloud bases in the north will be overcast from 300m, perhaps broken 4-500m in the south.
Ground conditions
Please see - https://www.eryri.llyw.cymru/visiting/walking/ground-conditions
Mountain weather information
Weather
A blustery showery day with a few brighter spells. Showers turning increasingly wintry to lower levels as the day wears on. Feeling very cold throughout with a significant wind chill developing.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
60%, periods of lower cloud are likely associated with showers through the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
North 25-30mph with gusts 35-45mph at times.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 falling to Minus 2 Celsius later.
- Valley Plus 9 Celsius falling to 6 Celsius later.
- Freezing level 1000m falling to 400m.
Visibility
Outwith showers visibility will be very good but it will turn poor in showers as they turn increasingly wintry during the afternoon. Cloud bases will become broken from 500m in heavier showers.
Mountain weather information
Thursday 2 December
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A mainly dry, bright and sunny day but feeling very cold in fresh northerly winds, clouding over later. A few wintry showers are possible. Freezing level 300m, rising overnight.
Friday 3 December
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overnight sleet and rain will clear east during the morning with a few bright spells possible in the afternoon, especially in the east. Light northwesterly winds turning southwesterly later. Freezing level around 1000m
Saturday 4 December
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further rain or sleet on Saturday morning will clear east to leave a showery, cold day. Strong or gale force southwesterly winds turn northwesterly later.
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.