Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally mild and rather unsettled weather. Lowering confidence for the timing detail of the worst of the conditions.
This evening forecast
Overcast with occasional light rain and above 600m snow. Summit winds relatively light.
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
Showers or longer periods of rain, which turn heavy at times. Summit gales.
| 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% | 20% | 60% | 90% | 60% | 80% | 20% | 20% |
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
20
|
SW
24
|
SW
34
|
S
47
|
SW
35
|
W
39
|
W
38
|
W
35
|
| 600m |
SW
16
|
SW
18
|
SW
28
|
SW
33
|
SW
28
|
W
28
|
W
30
|
W
26
|
| 300m |
W
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
10
|
S
10
|
SW
12
|
W
10
|
W
12
|
W
10
|
| Valley |
W
3
|
SW
4
|
S
9
|
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
W
9
|
W
10
|
SW
9
|
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 | 24 | 29 | 42 | 57 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 43 |
| 600m | 22 | 24 | 39 | 44 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 37 |
| 300m | 19 | 20 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 29 |
| Valley | 13 | 16 | 25 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 24 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
700m
|
900m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds 10-15mph stronger than the figures stated above across more exposed ridges and summits. Conditions very difficult in extensive hill fog, summit gales, driving rain and severe wind chill at height.
Weather
A cloudy to overcast day with patchy rain and summit snow early morning. Outbreaks occasionally merging to longer and heavier periods of rain between mid-morning and late afternoon, before improving to scattered light showers for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% becoming less than 10% for a time late morning
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate or poor in rain, very poor in early snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from around 500m.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available. Date: Thursday 19 February Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:45 Full report: The Lake District fells are currently covered in some great winter conditions. There are some brilliant adventures to be had for appropriately equipped and experienced winter walkers, mountaineers and climbers. An eerie day with lots of low cloud and absolutely zero wind on the summit, possibly a first for the Fell Top Assessors? The snow level is around 400m where it is generally soft and dry apart from on many paths where it has been compressed beneath walkers feet becoming firm and icy. Extensive areas of older neve (refrozen snow) can be found above 700m giving good traction in crampons but with the potential for serious slides which typically run out into boulder fields. These areas are also generally covered in a layer of new and insecure snow giving challenging conditions underfoot Microspikes are essential for anyone venturing above the snow line and these should be swapped for crampons if your route takes you onto steeper or more exposed terrain such as the Helvellyn Edges. Crampons also give greater grip and safety on the icier and deeper snow pack to be found above 700m. A challenging day in store for anyone out on Friday with storm force winds and an extensive thaw with the freezing level rising above the summits. However many areas will remain snow covered and frozen so please continue to go fully equipped for a winter adventure with lots of warm & waterproof layers, a reliable and appropriate method of navigation, head torch, goggles, crampons and an ice axe. Temperature: minus 0.3C, Maximum wind speed 0.0mph, Wind chill: minus 0.3C, Average wind speed: 0.0mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Similar to Friday with a cloudy to overcast day bringing showers or longer periods of rain which turn heavy at times. Strong to gale summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10%
Maximum wind speed expected
West to southwest 30-35mph with gusts reaching 50-55mph across most exposed ridges and summits
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 Celsius
- Valley Plus 7 Celsius rising to 12 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases quite extensive from around 500m.
Mountain weather information
Sun 22 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered rain showers. A few brief brighter spells, but mainly cloudy. Strong to gale summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Mon 23 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry, occasionally bright start. Cloud then rain reaching from the west later in the day. Strong to gale summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Tue 24 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain at first, heavy with extensive hill fog, clearing for a time later in the day. Strong to gale summit winds. Freezing level above 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.