Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a lot of dry and bright weather on Saturday then turning much more unsettled for a few days. Lower confidence for daily rain or snow details so please keep updated on this forecast.
This evening forecast
Clear spells and a few showers, wintry above 400m. Strong westerly winds and a severe wind chill on the tops. Freezing level 600m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry and bright during daytime. Wintry showers early and late. Cold and breezy.
| 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) |
30% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 40% | 70% |
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 |
W
23
|
NW
23
|
W
20
|
W
20
|
W
19
|
W
19
|
SW
18
|
SW
16
|
| 600m |
W
17
|
W
16
|
W
14
|
W
14
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
SW
14
|
SW
13
|
| 300m |
NW
8
|
NW
7
|
W
5
|
W
7
|
W
10
|
W
10
|
SW
7
|
SW
5
|
| Valley |
W
7
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
W
8
|
W
12
|
W
12
|
SW
8
|
SW
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 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 21 |
| 600m | 24 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 18 |
| 300m | 21 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 13 |
| Valley | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 14 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
600m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
700m
|
700m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A bright but cold day in the hills with some snow and ice on the ground. Glare from lying snow may also be an issue now we are into spring so sunglasses or ski goggles are advised.
Weather
Clear spells and scattered wintry showers overnight and to start the morning. These will soon die out to leave a dry day with good sunny spells but still feeling cold at height. Showers will return around late afternoon or early evening, wintry above 400m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Mostly 90%, but 60% early morning and again in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Mainly excellent visibility during the day. Some brief reductions in showers early and late in the period with patchy cloud above 600m.
Ground conditions
Date: Friday 13 March, Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:22, Temperature: minus 2.6C, Maximum wind speed 34.2mph, Wind chill: minus 12.2C, Average wind speed: 22.8mph. Full report: Just hours after the mountain was rain-swept and almost completely snow free, winter is back! The forecast drop in temperatures came through yesterday afternoon and the rain turned to snow, despite the ground being saturated and waterlogged the snow eventually began to settle and in places has accumulated into quite significant drifts. The strong SW winds have wind-scoured that side of the mountain leaving only pockets of snow on path hollows and in dips and gullies, the majority of the fresh snow has been wind-blown on to NE facing aspects and deep drifts of snow have built overnight, soft cornices have appeared around N-E facing corrie rims about the summit plateau, and routes such as Swirral and Striding edges are back in full winter condition and crampons and an ice axe will be essential for safe travel. On other approaches, from the Thirlmere side of the mountain, micro-spikes will be beneficial and even this morning the compressed snow on the sloping steps in descent was proving quite slippery in places. In addition to spikes, goggles and warm winter clothing, hat and gloves are all essential for comfort. The wind-blown snow on the N-E facing slopes overlaying fragments of older snow and wet saturated grass may also require some caution currently as it was showing the characteristics of wind-slab in places (avalanche prone snow) above 800m. If heading up over the weekend, sensible route choice and the right technical equipment required for the chosen route will be important, and as always in winter, lots of flexibility with the days plan. Interestingly, some mountains elsewhere seemed to vary in how much snow they were holding, Skiddaw for example looked like it just had a small covering up high, whereas Blencathra looked quite snowy on the NE side, Sharp edge for example looking snow covered for its length. Have a great weekend if heading onto the fells and take care!
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with outbreaks of sleet or snow overnight, falling as rain below 400m then turning to rain at all levels by morning. Rain clearing east during the morning followed by blustery showers, some heavy with hail and thunder, and turning to snow above 500m. Strong and gusty winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% at first, becoming 60%.
Maximum wind speed expected
West or SW 30 to 40mph, squally gusts up to 60mph.
Temperature
- At 800m 0C rising to 3C by morning, falling to Minus 1C in afternoon.
- Valley Plus 4C rising to 8C.
- Freezing level 800m, rising above summits by morning, falling to 600m in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Mostly poor visibility with extensive cloud and fog above 400m at first. Visibility improving when rain clears in the morning but occasionally poor in showers with cloud down to 500m and blizzard conditions on the tops at times.
Mountain weather information
Mon 16 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers dying out overnight. A dry, bright and cold day with strong southwest winds reaching gale force on the tops. Outbreaks of rain, preceded by summit snow, will spread east late in the day. Freezing level 600m, rising above summits in evening.
Tue 17 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud with patchy rain or drizzle accompanied by southwesterly gales on the tops. Perhaps a little brightness in the afternoon. Freezing level well above summits.
Wed 18 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
High pressure is expected to bring more settled conditions with light winds. Some patchy low cloud around. Remaining fairly mild but overnight frost is possible.
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.