Brecon Beacons
Includes all higher summits in the southern half of Wales: the Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons National Park, southern Cambrian Mountains and highest Preseli hills.
Today's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Thursday 23rd January 2025
Last updated
Wed 22nd Jan 25 at
2:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
The onset of a change as air begins to come in off the Atlantic. There will be extensive low cloud, and as a weakening front comes inland precipitation (snow on the mountains, even lower slopes Scotland) will set in for a couple of hours or so (very little N/NE Scotland). Upland winds will also strengthen markedly.
Headline for Brecon Beacons
Rain (snow higher tops) soon; most persistent west. Windy.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southerly; from west morning strengthening to 40mph. possibly 50mph higher areas. Will abruptly veer westerly from west middle of day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Where exposed walking becoming arduous and wind chill significant.
How Wet?
Rain and snow, most persistent west Wales
Rain, or snow above 700m, soon spreading east. Most precipitation western mountains, although from west extensively dry again early afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive
Cloud will cover the mountains most or all day, although in places ahead of the precipitation some higher slopes clear of cloud. From west will improve with most cloud above 800m.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10% later 30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, particularly east Wales afternoon. Visibility poor in rain, sometimes appalling in snow - later very good.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2 dropping toward 0C afternoon. Will feel as cold as minus -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Friday 24th January 2025
Last updated
Wed 22nd Jan 25 at
2:30PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Westerly: varying between 60 and 80mph,, perhaps easing a little through day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and mobility difficult, at times walking difficult on lower slopes.
How Wet?
Early rain then showers
Increasingly frequent showers. Snow higher tops, mainly afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas, particularly west Wales
Cloud base varying, sometimes quickly, though typically 450 to 800m, lowest western hills near precipitation.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun, mostly east Wales morning. Very hazy indeed.
How Cold? (at 750m)
4C after dawn, falling morning to 0C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits overnight and post-dawn, then lowering possibly rapidly near to highest summits around 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Saturday 25th January 2025
Last updated
Wed 22nd Jan 25 at
2:30PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Westerly backing southwesterly, typically 30mph at first. May drop to 20-25mph in a lull; then strengthen markedly toward dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect considerable wind chill and walking to be impeded by the wind on higher areas.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers; rain lower slopes
Occasional snow and hail showers; possibly later the precipitation frequent. Generally rain below 500m.
Cloud on the hills?
Intermittently clearing most slopes; may persist higher tops
Varying cloud base; breaks to 850m, perhaps higher, but near precipitation, forming at 550m or perhaps sometimes lower (especially afternoon between Snowdon and Lleyn peninsula).
Chance of cloud free summits?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, most widely east Wales and lower slopes north of A5. Visibility poor in snow; otherwise a haze.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-1C
Freezing Level
800m. Widespread frost valleys post dawn.
Planning Outlook
An extremely intense Atlantic low will make landfall in Scotland on Friday. In many areas upland winds will approach or reach hurricane force, and widespread precipitation will occur. Precipitation will then fall most days over the coming week as low pressure continues to dominate, giving further periods of upland gales or storm force winds. On the Scottish Highlands most precipitation will be of snow, whilst further south snow more intermittently and often confined to higher summits.