Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally unsettled, mild and changeable weather through this period. Lower confidence for the timings of rain later Thursday and on Friday, then a lot of uncertainty in the detail of rain arriving over the weekend.
This evening forecast
Very strong southwest winds with gusts 70 to 90mph making walking almost impossible on high slopes. Mainly cloudy with a few showers. Freezing level above summits.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Very windy with severe gales on the tops. A few heavy showers in morning then a dry and bright afternoon.
| 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) |
40% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 20% | 10% | 10% |
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 |
SW
50
|
SW
44
|
SW
44
|
SW
45
|
SW
44
|
SW
40
|
SW
43
|
SW
42
|
| 600m |
SW
40
|
SW
37
|
SW
36
|
SW
36
|
SW
36
|
SW
32
|
SW
34
|
SW
33
|
| 300m |
SW
16
|
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
SW
15
|
| Valley |
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
SW
16
|
SW
17
|
SW
18
|
SW
15
|
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
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 | 55 | 55 | 58 | 57 | 52 | 55 | 54 |
| 600m | 54 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 50 | 45 | 48 | 47 |
| 300m | 42 | 37 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 35 | 37 | 37 |
| Valley | 40 | 36 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 33 | 37 | 35 |
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°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A mild day in the valleys but cold and very windy at height with gusts of 55 to 65mph making progress difficult. Hazardous conditions on exposed ridges and summits with a significant risk of being blown over.
Weather
A few showers overnight and in the morning, some heavy with a small risk of hail and thunder but moving through quickly. A rather cloudy morning, then becoming dry with sunny spells in the afternoon. Dry with long clear spells in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% becoming 70% in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Mostly good visibility but occasional cloud above 500m overnight and morning with poor visibility at times in showers. Cloud lifting in the afternoon with just isolated summit patches.
Ground conditions
Date: Tuesday 9 December. Location: Red Screes summit (776m) at 10:30. Temperature: plus 8.8C. Maximum wind speed 33.1mph. Wind chill: plus 3.6C. Average wind speed: 23.3mph. Full report: Storm Bram. Severe weather continues to affect the National Park. In light of the Met Office weather warnings and flooding visible when travelling into the area, today's conditions report is taken from Red Screes (776m) at the southern end of the Helvellyn massif. This was not a day for venturing onto the high fells, with paths turning into streams and water sweeping across fields as well as strong winds. Please consider your own safety, as well as that of the volunteer Mountain Rescue teams who will be called out even for low-level incidents in such conditions. Determining the cloud base today was difficult-approximately 350m, but constantly merging with driving rain. Visibility at times dropped to around 20 metres, making any deviation from a main path potentially hazardous. Continuous attention was required when moving over rocky ground due to strong buffeting winds and rain being blown directly into the eyes. Although the temperature at Kirkstone Pass was a mild 11°C, the combination of wind and persistent rain produced a marked wind chill. A functional waterproof jacket with hood and waterproof trousers is essential. No snow is expected to remain on any high tops. A brief lull around lunchtime offered only temporary respite. Conditions are forecast to deteriorate again toward dusk, with wind speeds expected to increase into the evening. Wednesday will bring further challenging walking conditions, including frequent heavy rain, swollen streams and the potential for gale-force winds.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry night with clear spells then staying dry during the day. High cloud will spread east through the afternoon then outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, developing during the evening. Strong winds with gales on the tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%, becoming 30% in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southwest 20 to 30mph gusts 40 to 50mph, easing later.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3C rising to 6C.
- Valley Plus 7C rising to 10C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Mainly good visibility during the day with just patchy summit cloud. Cloud lowering during the evening, becoming extensive above 600m with patches to lower slopes.
Mountain weather information
Fri 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain in the morning, clearing east then a dry and bright afternoon. Light winds, becoming strong from the southwest in the evening. Freezing level above summits.
Sat 13 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry and bright morning and perhaps the afternoon too. Rain expected to spread east sometime, most likely late in the day or evening but low confidence at this stage. Southwest winds strengthening, gales later. Freezing level above summits.
Sun 14 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Spells of rain or drizzle with low cloud and gale force southwest winds. Very mild.
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.