Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium
This evening forecast
Heavy and persistent rain. Gale to storm force summit winds.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Drier later.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
90% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
50
|
W
19
|
N
9
|
N
8
|
N
6
|
N
7
|
N
10
|
N
10
|
| 600m |
SW
36
|
W
14
|
NW
6
|
N
6
|
N
5
|
N
5
|
N
8
|
NW
8
|
| 300m |
S
12
|
W
7
|
NW
2
|
N
3
|
N
4
|
N
4
|
N
5
|
NW
5
|
| Valley |
S
14
|
W
6
|
NW
2
|
N
4
|
N
3
|
N
4
|
N
6
|
N
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 62 | 23 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 14 |
| 600m | 48 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 13 |
| 300m | 37 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 |
| Valley | 38 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,500m
|
2,000m
|
1,500m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Uncertainty around the timing of the clearance of the rain.
Weather
Heavy and persistent rain overnight along with summit gales. The rain expected to turn lighter and patchy during daylight hours and should clear completely in the evening. However, detail around this are uncertain. Cloudy also lifting and winds easing.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil to 20% overnight becoming 60% by the end of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud overnight and early morning, base 300 to 600m. The cloud should lift and break near or above the summits later in the day. Visibility moderate to very poor becoming good at times through the day.
Ground conditions
Date Sunday 14th December. Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:15. Temperature plus 4.6degC. Maximum wind speed 49.7mph. Wind chill minus 3.6degC. Average wind speed 36.8mph Full report: A very wet and windy day on the Lake District fells with an Amber Warning in place for flooding across Cumbria. Conditions weren't quite as bad as forecast this morning but were still extremely challenging with constant rain and gusts of 60mph. Streams and rivers were coming up and could pose problems for walkers over the next 24-48 hours. Roads and other services are also likely to be affected over this time frame so please be conservative with your plans and make good decisions. Summit temperatures are still relatively warm for the time of year but the wind chill and rain mean that hypothermia is a real risk especially if you are forced to stop or only moving slowly due to injury and or exhaustion. Plenty of warm and waterproof layers, spare hats and gloves and copious amounts of food plus some form of emergency shelter / survival bag are a good starting point when planning your adventures. Sunset is also currently at 3:48pm so please make an early start and carry a headtorch. There are currently only a few isolated patches of snow remaining in the Lake District which shouldn't pose any hazard to walkers.This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Some valley frost and fog or freezing fog forming overnight which will be slow to clear. Otherwise dry and bright with sunny or clear spells.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%
Maximum wind speed expected
West or southwest 15 to 20mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 to Plus 2 Celsius
- Valley Zero to Plus 7 Celsius
- Freezing level Most levels at first, rising to around the summits during the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Other than valley fog, no significant low cloud expected. Visibility mostly good or very good, except in valley fog.
Mountain weather information
Wed 17 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, heavy and persistent at times. Strong to gale force south or southwest winds at height.
Thu 18 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain. Strong to gale force south or southeast winds at times.
Fri 19 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with occasional rain or showers, perhaps wintry over the summits. Moderate to fresh west or northwest winds at height.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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.