Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for general developments. Medium for cloud details.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
Severe Chill Effect
Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia.
Poor Visibility
Poor visibility presents challenging route finding conditions. Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references, especially on featureless moors or plateaux. Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Wet and windy, turning brighter with blustery wintry showers.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 90% | 70% | 50% | 60% | 50% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SW
37
|
SW
49
|
SW
50
|
W
46
|
W
48
|
W
48
|
| 600m |
SW
30
|
SW
40
|
SW
39
|
W
37
|
W
36
|
W
36
|
| 300m |
SW
10
|
SW
14
|
SW
13
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
14
|
| Valley |
SW
9
|
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 44 | 59 | 61 | 57 | 59 | 60 |
| 600m | 38 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 49 |
| 300m | 30 | 39 | 40 | 40 | 42 | 41 |
| Valley | 27 | 36 | 40 | 36 | 40 | 37 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
8°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
1,400m
|
1,200m
|
800m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
5°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Note changing freezing levels.
Weather
Soon turning wet and windy in the morning, early summit snow possible, but quickly turning to rain. The rain heavy and persistent at times. Becoming drier and brighter during the afternoon with scattered blustery wintry showers, snow over the summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% during the morning, becoming 70% during the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud during the morning, base 600m, falling 300m at times. The cloud lifting near or above the summits during the afternoon, but lowering significantly in wintry showers. Visibility often moderate to very poor during the morning, becoming very good during the afternoon, except in cloud and wintry showers.
Ground conditions
Date Saturday 28 March. Location Helvellyn summit at 1001. Temperature minus 1.9degC. Maximum wind speed 25.1mph. Wind chill minus 12.9degC. Average wind speed: 16.6mph Full report An awesome winter show on the fells today! Snow and hail squalls from valley level, gusty winds and spindrift blowing around the mountain, freezing conditions up top and dramatic breaks of sunshine! Definitely a full winter day, during the snow showers and squalls full winter clothing was needed even at mid/low levels, gloves, hat and warm layers and winter clothing essential, and goggles were very welcome much of the time, and sunglasses occasionally too! Around the classic Edges and anywhere exposed micro-spikes were essential for safe travel and an ice axe was welcome as another point of contact. On other easier approaches micro-spikes will likely still be very helpful and improve traction. So if heading out best to approach the high fells as being in full winter condition, whilst crampons are not needed on the majority of routes, micro-spikes and possibly an axe are highly recommended as well as all the normal additional winter essentials. If heading out tomorrow expect quite challenging hill conditions with strong winds, a cold wind-chill, and snow/sleet turning to heavy rain at times through to summit level, be well equipped and plan accordingly for tough conditions. This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Bright or clear spells with scattered wintry showers, most of the showers dying out by evening. Severe wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 30mph gusting 45mph, severe wind chill.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 Celsius rising to Plus 2 Celsius during the day.
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius rising to 8 Celsius during the day.
- Freezing level 600m rising near or above the summits during the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud mainly above the summits, but lowering significantly in passing wintry showers. Visibility mostly very good, but moderate to very poor in wintry showers and summit cloud.
Mountain weather information
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy. Patchy light rain dying out. Brighter later. Fresh westerly winds at height. Freezing level above the summits.
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy. Outbreaks of rain, turning wintry over the summits later. Fresh west or southwest winds, turning northerly later. Freezing level above the summits, later 900m.
Thu 2 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and bright. Patchy rain and snow possible early and later. Winds mainly moderate from the south or southeast. Freezing level near or above the summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.