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
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
Last updated
Tue 21st Jan 25 at
3:42PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A quiet day overall with light winds. Local showers near western coasts, but many places staying dry. Fairly extensive cloud, persisting over some upper slopes all day, local breaks generally better toward east and north. Near or just below freezing over higher terrain.
Headline for Brecon Beacons
Light winds. Many places dry, low cloud lifting.
How windy? (On the summits)
Variable direction, 10mph or less in morning. During afternoon, west to northwesterly, 10 to 15mph, increasing a little into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Little to none, but noticeable wind chill later in the day.
How Wet?
Little precipitation expected
A mostly dry day toward south and east. Local drizzly showers near west coast may drift further inland over the Cambrians in the afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Low cloud mostly morning and in west
Varied banks of cloud at different elevations in the morning, tending to drift to upper slopes, but likely to often cover western summits. Some breaks forming for periods, best toward east during afternoon.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun possible. Good visibility out of cloud, but rather hazy east Wales.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1 or 2C
Freezing Level
Just above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Thursday 23rd January 2025
Last updated
Tue 21st Jan 25 at
3:42PM
How windy? (On the summits)
South-southwest turning abruptly westerly; speeds soon increasing to 50mph, risk 60-70mph for a time, suddenly squally.
Effect of the wind on you?
Soon difficult conditions, frequent buffeting where exposed; gusts may knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy rain, sleet highest tops
Soon from dawn, abruptly heavy rain, sleet or possible snow on highest tops. Continuing for several hours, then breaking up into clusters of showers into afternoon, but may still result in frequent precipitation. Chance isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, varied extent
Some banks of cloud to lower south-facing slopes at first. Then varied across the hills, often covering many tops, but some breaks occasionally forming if rain breaks up.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally overcast. Visibility very poor in rain, local improvements.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling like -15C.
Freezing Level
Close to highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Friday 24th January 2025
Last updated
Tue 21st Jan 25 at
3:42PM
How windy? (On the summits)
An intense storm system: southwest veering westerly; 70-90mph possibly much of day, speeds may start to lessen later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect severe conditions most or all day; any mobility very difficult from lower elevations upward.
How Wet?
Early rain then showers
Heavy rain at dawn soon clearing eastwards, followed by occasional showers, may turn to snow high tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, mostly western tops
Cloud base soon mostly confined to upper slopes, clearing for periods, but patches likely to come and go especially in west.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, mostly east. Hazy at best, visibility poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
5C at dawn, falling quickly toward 0C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits overnight and post-dawn, then lowering possibly rapidly near to highest summits around 800m.
Planning Outlook
Deteriorating later this week - a series of storm systems coming in from the Atlantic through late January bringing frequently severe conditions to the mountains. Thursday sees winds reach gale force on many tops with a spell of heavy rain and upland snow developing from the west. By Friday, severe conditions from lower elevations upward, hurricane-force winds over the mountains, plus extensive rain and hill snow. Gales continue into Saturday, severe for the Highlands. Snow is likely to accumulate over Scottish mountains during the next week or so with only brief thawing. More variable temperatures for England and Wales with cycles of freeze and thaw. Atlantic patterns likely prevail into early February.