Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for east to southeast flow persisting also for relatively unsettled, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
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
Fair start, then periods of rain by afternoon. Strong to gale southeast summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 10% | 20% | 90% | 80% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
25
|
SE
33
|
SE
47
|
SE
48
|
SE
44
|
SE
45
|
| 600m |
S
22
|
SE
27
|
SE
36
|
SE
34
|
SE
31
|
SE
33
|
| 300m |
S
10
|
SE
10
|
SE
15
|
SE
16
|
SE
15
|
SE
15
|
| Valley |
SE
8
|
SE
9
|
E
15
|
E
15
|
SE
13
|
SE
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 29 | 39 | 57 | 58 | 53 | 55 |
| 600m | 29 | 34 | 48 | 45 | 42 | 45 |
| 300m | 23 | 26 | 39 | 43 | 38 | 39 |
| Valley | 20 | 24 | 37 | 39 | 34 | 34 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
700m
|
800m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Severe wind chill effect receding as the freezing level lifts later in the day.
Weather
Patchy rain and above 700-800m snow, at first overnight, clearing before dawn as the cloud becomes more broken. A largely dry start to the day with the chance of some early morning bright spells. Cloud soon thickening from the south, bringing patchy rain by late morning, occasionally wintry across highest peaks at first. Outbreaks turning more persistent and heavy for the afternoon, before weakening during the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% becoming 10-20% from late morning
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases becoming quite extensive from 600m from late morning with patches lower down for the afternoon.
Ground conditions
Date: Tuesday 20 January Location: Fairfield summit (873m) at 11:30 Full report: Blustery, snow patches thawing. Most fells now hold only remnants of recent snowfall. Isolated snow patches, some up to tennis-court size remain, but these are wet and actively thawing, with the freezing level above the highest summits today. A primary hazard lies on high paths, where compacted snow has been trampled into hard ice and is now lubricated by meltwater. Combined with strong, gusty winds, this creates a real risk of losing balance, and care is needed on all exposed ground. Fairfield, approached via Raise Beck, was chosen for today's observations to provide some shelter from the forecast 50+ mph winds. The summit area proved relatively sheltered, lying in the lee of south-easterly slopes, with the wind gusting up and over them. However, strong mid-fell gusts were funnelled and accelerated through mountain passes, such as Grizedale Hause, as well as over ridges and other terrain features, making progress arduous. This was not a day for the Helvellyn Edges, where the combination of icy tracks and severe buffeting would present a serious hazard. The cloud base sat around 700m, keeping the high fells largely hidden and limiting views. Conditions improved noticeably on descent, where the air was clear with excellent visibility at lower levels. Simple but effective safety equipment is strongly recommended. A whistle can be invaluable if mobile phone signal is unavailable: six blasts per minute is the international distress signal, repeated until help responds. If you hear a reply of three blasts, continue signalling until assistance arrives. Similar blustery and thawing conditions are forecast for Wednesday. Temperature: plus 1.7C, Maximum wind speed 33.4mph, Wind chill: minus 5.4C, Average wind speed: 15.5mph .
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dull with rain, most of this light, also turning to snow above 800m from late afternoon. Strong southeast summit winds bringing a severe wind chill to higher peaks.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10%
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast mean 30-35mph with gusts reaching 45mph across exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 Celsius decreasing plus 1 Celsius by early evening
- Valley Plus 4 Celsius increasing 8 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits lowering 900m for the evening
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 600m with patches lower down.
Mountain weather information
Fri 23 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A mostly dry and possibly bright start, then occasional rain from late morning, with snow above 800m. Strong to gale southeast summit winds bringing a severe wind chill at height. Freezing level around 900m.
Sat 24 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with patchy light rain and summit snow. Strong easterly winds. Freezing level around 800m.
Sun 25 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly cloudy with patchy light rain and summit snow. Fresh easterly winds. Freezing level around 700-800m.
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.