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.
Wednesday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain and hill snow in eastern Scotland in the morning tends to ease off; largely dry toward west. E-SE'ly gales in north, lower wind speeds S & W Highlands, but increasing again later. In England & Wales, upland gales all day, rain and initially snow on tops extending north, becoming milder from the south.
Headline for Brecon Beacons
Upland gales. Rain and low cloud throughout day.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southeasterly 40 to 50mph, speed may vary, but at times gusts near 60mph high tops, slightly lowering afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous over exposed terrain, gusts frequently knocking you off balance. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain, heavy at times
Briefly dry start, but spots of rain soon onto southern hills, then pulses of rain moving in from the south, becoming persistent steadier rain at times, some heavier bursts mixed in. Frequent heavy bursts onward into evening with hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest south
Varied banks at first, but soon covering the hills widely above 400-600m, highest bases toward the western Cambrians; at times filling in lower on southern and eastern aspects.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, poor visibility in rain.
How Cold? (at 750m)
Around 0C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C where exposed on higher areas.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing on higher tops around 800m, tending to lower slightly during day.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Thursday 22nd January 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Easterly 25 to 40mph, very gusty in places around higher tops and in places downslope to the west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking on higher terrain, gusts affecting balance not just on tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Often raining south and east
Frequent or persistent rain, some heavy bursts with possible hail mixed in. Smaller amounts western Cambrians.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Covering higher terrain much of the day, lowest bases on southeastern aspects, occasionally may break higher up, more often western areas.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy, dull south/east. Visibility often poor due to rain, sometimes good west Wales.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3C. Wind chill feels as cold as -10C.
Freezing Level
Above freezing to highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Brecon Beacons
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Tue 20th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the summits)
East-southeasterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty in places. Risk significantly strengthening late in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous conditions, at times challenging in exposure with significant buffeting and wind chill.
How Wet?
Often raining, most persistent south/east
Frequent rain soon sets in, persistent onto southern slopes. May breaks somewhat afternoon, but will return as showers which may be heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Covering higher terrain much of the day, lowest bases on southeastern aspects, occasionally may break higher up, more often western Cambrians.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy, dull south/east. Visibility often poor due to rain, sometimes good west Wales.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feels as cold as -10C.
Freezing Level
Above freezing to highest tops.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale force easterlies over most mountains later this week, powerful gusts downslope toward west; severe chill factor. Colder air and lowering freezing level moves into Scotland Thursday-Friday, much mountain terrain then frozen into the weekend and early next week. Substantial snowfalls over eastern Scottish hills later this week, drier to the west. Dropping just below freezing on high tops in England and Wales - a mix of rain and high level snow; colder further south over the weekend. Circulating low pressure and cold air into next week, with further snowfalls likely. Lower wind speeds early in the new week, but then likely increasing E-SE'ly again.