Brecon Beacons
Includes all higher summits in the southern half of Wales, including highest point in Preseli Hills.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Saturday 29th February 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
Summary for all mountain areas
A complex weather situation. An early zone of rain and upland snow clears away eastwards, with cloud breaking widely. Then another area of heavy snow spreads in from the west into the afternoon. Wind speeds varied; least windy northern Scotland, but increasingly stormy across hills of England & Wales.
Headline for Brecon Beacons
Upland gales increasingly stormy. Snow & hail showers.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly; 30-40mph morning, but strengthening, to 50mph by midday or soon after, and 60-70mph across higher tops during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Generally arduous conditions on the hills. Deteriorating to make any mobility difficult on higher terrain during afternoon. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow occasionally, mostly showers.
Overnight snow & rain will clear east around dawn, leaving occasional snow showers. Risk frequent for an hour or so. Perhaps briefly hail and chance isolated thunder. Rain only on lower slopes. Very wet underfoot lower slopes following previous heavy rain; streams in spate or flood.
Cloud on the hills?
Hills often cloud free
Patches after dawn will clear, with most summits cloud free for several hours. However, anticipate general deterioration especially west Wales afternoon as in precipitation fog shrouds the hills.
Chance of cloud free summits?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun, particularly east Wales in morning. Hazy before visibility becoming very poor or appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-2C. Where exposed to strongest winds, feeling like -15C by afternoon on high tops.
Freezing Level
550m, or briefly lowering toward 400m around middle of day into afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Sunday 1st March 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
How windy? (On the summits)
West or southwesterly 30 to 45mph, perhaps a lull for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Risk of difficult conditions for walking; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow showers
Snow and hail showers sometimes frequent and heavy. Small risk thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher areas
Cloud base will vary, higher tops intermittently clearing; but patches near precipitation above about 450m.
Chance of cloud free summits?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun and very good or excellent visibility - although temporarily very poor visibility in snow.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0C
Freezing Level
700m, perhaps slightly lower early in day.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Monday 2nd March 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
How windy? (On the summits)
Westerly, speeds varied (detail uncertain), occasional lulls, but often 25-30mph, risk at times 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect buffeting and significant wind chill across the hills; conditions may vary through the day.
How Wet?
Showers, snow on hills
A few showers spreading from west, snow or hail flurries on the hills, mostly rain lower slopes. Locally may be frequent for a few hours in west, but mostly well scattered.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher slopes
Cloud bases varied depending on extent of precipitation. Often above 700-800m, but patches briefly below 500m around showers.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, most common east Wales. Visibility often very good, but at times very poor if in snow.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-1 or -2C.
Freezing Level
500-600m, perhaps lower from dawn; may rise slightly further in afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Remaining cold into the start of March, with westerly winds generally prevailing. Scottish mountains staying sub-zero much of the time, whilst England & Wales will see periods of freeze and thaw, and snow more often confined to higher slopes. Precipitation remaining focused on western mountains. Lower terrain staying very wet underfoot. Wind speeds varied, occasional lulls, but also gales at times. Some indications of higher pressure into the second week of March.