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Snowdonia National Park

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Viewing forecast for Saturday, 4th February, 2012

Forecast last reviewed on Friday, 03/02/12 at 13:29


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Summary for all mountain areas

Milder air will percolate slowly east across Britain. Freezing levels will be very varied, as in/above some, but not all valleys, strong winds (upland gales across many mountains) scour out the cold air. Most areas will have snow, heavy western Scotland.

Headline, Snowdonia National Park

Upland gales and rain, or inland snow, afternoon.

How Windy?

Southerly, 15-25mph, strengthening 30 to in afternoon on higher summits near Snowdon 35-40mph gusts 50 to briefly 60mph.

Effect Of Wind?

Buffeting will become widespread and where exposed considerable across particularly western hills with significant wind chill.

How Wet?

Patchy snow edging in from west and turning to rain

Snow, often light, will extend slowly from the west, but generally total amounts small. However, steadier precipitation will fall for a couple of hours later in the afternoon, this by then rain up to higher summits west, but still locally snow to low levels east.

Cloud on the hills?

Gradually forming in snow

Summits cloud free, possibly most of day toward east, but later patches forming above 600m. But cloud capping western summits will extensively lower to 400 to 600m and on westernmost areas north of Porthmadog, the base may well drop below 300m.

Chance of cloud free Summits?

Soon less than 10% west, to 80% east

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sunshine toward east will give way as high level cloud thickens from west. Excellent visibility on the hills, before becoming very poor indeed in snow and cloud.

How Cold? (at 900m)

-3 to -5C in morning. As milder air comes in from west may reach toward west 1 to 3C late in day. Very little temperature variation with height.

Freezing level

Poorly defined freezing level: Terrain largely frozen. But on west coastal hills, freezing level tending to lift toward 1100m, and 550m well inland.

Planning Outlook for all mountain areas from Sunday, 5th February, 2012

A broad area of high pressure will remain near Britain most of next week, bringing mostly light winds. Weakening fronts slowing down near the high will bring patchy rain and snow, and also areas of low cloud. The low cloud in particular will be hard to forecast, in some areas persistent to a very low level, whilst in others almost completely absent. With the air higher up often very clear, this will result in some fine days on many mountains.

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