Mike Pow 52 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 MONDAY 17 OCTOBER 2011 Just back from another weekend trip in and around the Dolgellau area. Stayed at The Slate Shed at Graig Wen, Arthog. Fantastic B&B with wonderful hosts, food and views http://www.slateshed.co.uk/ THis week looks promising for the first snow of the winter to fall on N and S Wales. Doesn't look like enough to slide on but with the Autumn colours it could make for some great pics. Thursday looks the best day for that BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK TUESDAY Weather Much brighter with some sunny spells, but also occasional blustery showers. The showers becoming more frequent during the afternoon and turning heavier with a risk of hail and thunder. The showers will also fall as snow above around 800m towards the evening. Strong and gusty westerly winds. Visibility Generally very good or excellent, but temporarily falling to moderate in rain showers, and poor in hail and heavy showers. Very poor in snow showers over the higher hills and very poor in hill fog. Hill fog Many hills cloud free for much of the time, but cloud bases falling to around 700-800m during and around the heavier showers. Maximum winds above 400m Westerly 45-50mph. Temperature Valleys Plus 4 degrees Celsius, rising to plus 10 degrees Celsius 800 m Zero degrees Celsius Freezing level Just above the summits WEDNESDAY Cold with strong north-westerly winds, although lighter than Tuesday. Occasional showers are possible and some may be heavy with hail and thunder and may fall as snow over the highest summits. The north-westerly wind will ease towards the end of the day with more in the way of sunshine. The freezing level will be around or just above the summits. THURSDAY After a cold and frosty start in the valleys, it will be a cold and crisp autumnal day with spells of sunshine. Winds becoming much lighter and later backing to become south-westerly. Quickly becoming cold by dusk. The freezing level will be generally just above the summits. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/brecon/brecon_latest_pressure.html SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK TUESDAY Weather Much brighter with some sunny spells, but also occasional blustery showers. The showers becoming more frequent during the afternoon and turning heavier with a risk of hail and thunder. The showers will also fall as snow above around 800 m, perhaps giving some temporary slushy accumulations over the summits. Strong and gusty westerly winds. Visibility Generally very good or excellent, but temporarily falling to moderate in rain showers, and poor in hail and heavy showers. Very poor in snow showers over the higher hills and very poor in hill fog. Hill fog Many hills cloud free for much of the time, but cloud bases falling to around 700 to 800 m during and around the heavier showers. Maximum winds above 500m Westerly 45 to 50 mph. Temperature Valleys Plus 4 degrees Celsius, rising to plus 10 degrees Celsius. 900 m Zero degrees Celsius. Freezing level 900m. WEDNESDAY Cold with strong north-westerly winds, although lighter than Tuesday. Frequent showers continuing to blow in off the Irish Sea, some heavy with hail and thunder and falling as snow above 600 m. The north-westerly wind will ease towards the end of the day with more in the way of sunshine. The freezing level will be around 700 m. THURSDAY After a cold and frosty start, it will be a chilly and crisp autumnal day with spells of sunshine and perhaps just one or two showers during the morning. Winds becoming much lighter and later backing to become south-westerly. Quickly becoming cold by dusk. Freezing levels generally around the summits. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_latest_pressure.html 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BillTheBinMan 0 Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 You going to be out there taking those pics Mike? Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Hope to be. Well until I head east just after Christmas. Link to post Share on other sites
Neil Tilley 0 Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Hope it's not to cold this weekend , plan to be biking on offa's dike Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 FRIDAY 02 DECEMBER 2011 Well yesterday was the first day of meterological winter and temperatures have dropped considerably in the past couple of days. Frost on the car in Cardiff at sea level this morning. Derek's been calling for snow on the higher ground next Monday and Tuesday and the Met Office Mountain Forecast is backing this up BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/brecon/brecon_latest_pressure.html SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_latest_pressure.html There's plenty of precipitation in the forecast, the freezing level is the key. Going to be watching it rise and fall more observantly than an investment banker watching the FT index. Can't speak for the north, but in the Brecon Beacons National Park one quick, heavy storm is all it takes to get the planks out. Watch this space. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Derek's blog http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesnature/2011/12/first_day_of_winter.html Link to post Share on other sites
beno 0 Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 I love Wales. Thought I'd just say that. You live in Cardiff then Mike? I'm just over the border, in enemy territory. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 swansea?! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 MONDAY 05 DECEMBER 2011 YR EIRA GYNTAF - THE FIRST SNOW A very different start to the winter from 2009 and 2010. The previous two winters saw the first snow and turns on the peaks of the Brecon Beacons National Park in November (the 27th & 30th in 2009; and the 8th and 27th in 2010). On 28 November 2010 temperatures plumeted to -18 C at Llysdinam near Newbridge on Wye in Powys, Mid-Wales. After one of the warmest Autumns since records began in 1910, colder air has finally started to flow over Wales. Mixed with the ample precipitaion that's fallen in the past week or so, the Brecon Beacons received the first snowfall of the winter this morning. Unfortunately nowhere near enough fell to make turns. Nerys and I drove to the parking area below the Lower Neuadd Reservoir and then walked to the Upper Neuadd Reservoir and beyond to the saddle between Cribyn and Fan-y-Big, Bwlch ar y Fan. The peaks of Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan and Cribyn from Lower Neuadd Reservoir Nerys taking a shot of the peaks of Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan from Upper Neuadd Reservoir The peaks of Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan and Cribyn from the footpath above Upper Neuadd Reservoir Nerys taking a shot of the peaks of Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan from the footpath above Upper Neuadd Reservoir Nerys at Bwlch ar y Fan with Cwm Cynwyn and the fields of the Brecon area below Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Nice Mike. I totally LOVE that first one with the trees.... wow! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Will you be in Japan this season? Really hope to see some of your amazing shots again! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 Thanks muikabochi. Non-indigenous trees - spruce - planted by Taf Fechan Water Board to line and protect the reservoir. First day skiing will be 29th December in Kiroro. On Hokkaido until the end of March. Can't wait. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 TUESDAY 06 DECEMBER 2011 A return to the Brecon Beacons. This time solo. A little more snow had fallen overnight, but the wind was gusting to "don't stand too close to the edge" intensity at daybreak. Walked to the top of Cribyn to get a look at the NE Face of Pen-y-Fan. Going to take a lot of snow and some serious wind loading to make this skiable this winter. The path to the summit of Cribyn The cairn on the summit of Cribyn with the NW face of Fan y Big The NE Face of Pen-y-Fan from Cribyn Then I followed the course of the Blaen Taf Fechan river to the Upper Neuadd Reservoir. The low winter sunshine hitting the grass gave it a prairie feel. Blaen Taf Fechan river course The river was dammed by Taf Fechan water Board (now Dwr Cymru Welsh Water) and the reservoir opened in 1902. It provides drinking water for Merthyr Tydfil. Upper Neuadd Reservoir Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan from Upper Neuadd Reservoir Link to post Share on other sites
Azuki 0 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Yes beautiful. I remember your other Wales post. I have never been but it does look like a beautiful area. Link to post Share on other sites
Azuki 0 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 And your photographs are wonderful! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 Thanks. It's getting whiter. More to come. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Great shots, Mike! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 totemo Link to post Share on other sites
Neil Tilley 0 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 mike, just had my MTB course cancelled in north wales due to big snowfall, hope that means a shed load more snow in the beacons , and you may just get those first turns this week end . great pics Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hauntingly beautiful. Out of curiosity, what do the trees protect the reservoir from? Mudslides, perhaps? Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Thanks guys. Wild guess Metabo Oyaji, I think they're there to provide a buffer against the wind to reduce evaporation. Makes it look prettier too. First turns had this morning. Pics to follow. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER 2011 Last week's dusting had been washed away by several days of heavy rain, but a cold front moved through on Tuesday evening bringing new snowfall. Not enough to ski but worth a walk up and down to see how much had fallen. Brecon Beacons marker on the path up to Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan The view of the start of the trail and Fan Fawr on the opposite side of the A470 from the path up to Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan The path to the summit plateau of Corn Du Corn Du in the mist and cloud The weather can change in minutes in the Brecon Beacons. These views of Llyn Cwm Llwch - the glacial lake - below Corn Du were taken 10 mins apart The slope below Pen-y-Fan into Cwm Llwch And 10 minutes later it started to sock back in. But cribyn was starting to fill in nicely. Cribyn from Pen-y-Fan THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER 2011 The Brecon Beacons is the new Whistler. + 4 C and raining at the base, freezing level half-way up the mountain, and snow up high. Unfortunately there's no gondola to whisk me up to the snow, and I don't do boot packing in the rain. Bloody Gulf Stream done for me again. Let's hope Derek's on the money for tonight and tomorrow http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesnature/2011/12/first_proper_snow_of_the_winte.html Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Good luck, Mike! Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Unfortunately there's no gondola to whisk me up to the snow, and I don't do boot packing in the rain. If you were gnarly enough, Mike, you'd be doing the whole thing naked. Lovely photos. Link to post Share on other sites
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