Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather pattern, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
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.
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.
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.
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
Showers, frequent at first and heavy at times. Strong, perhaps gale force, winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
90% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
W
40
|
W
43
|
NW
34
|
W
36
|
NW
34
|
W
31
|
| 600m |
W
30
|
W
31
|
W
27
|
W
30
|
NW
25
|
W
21
|
| 300m |
W
10
|
W
12
|
NW
12
|
NW
14
|
NW
9
|
W
7
|
| Valley |
W
11
|
W
10
|
W
11
|
W
13
|
NW
7
|
W
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 47 | 50 | 42 | 45 | 40 | 37 |
| 600m | 38 | 40 | 36 | 39 | 33 | 29 |
| 300m | 31 | 35 | 32 | 35 | 28 | 26 |
| Valley | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 25 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-13°
|
-13°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Conditions improving for the afternoon, but severe wind chill continuing to extend to mid-levels.
Weather
Showers of snow, sleet and rain, frequent early to mid-morning, heavy at times through the morning and early afternoon with the risk of hail and thunder. Outbreaks lighter and less frequent from mid-afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% becoming 60% from late morning
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m at first before lifting and breaking from mid-morning.
Ground conditions
Date: Friday 27 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:15 Full report: Spring like conditions have returned to the Lake District fells. Overnight rain and the freezing level rising well above the summits has stripped most of the snow and ice from the mountains and the vast majority of routes are snow free. Striding and Swirral Edges have some patches of snow but can be climbed solely on rock. Yesterdays ice on the Helvellyn plateau has thawed and microispikes are no longer required. There are still a few patches of old snow or neve above 850m on steep north through east aspects, in gullies and around corrie rims. The patch that may present the highest risk is to be found on climbers right of the exit slopes to Swirral Edge but it is now easily bypassed. Conditions are forecast to deteriorate over the weekend with increasing winds and snow & hail showers turning to heavy rain. Please Be Adventure Smart - check the weather forecast and ensure you have the correct clothing, equipment and skills for your planned adventure. Temperature: plus 1.6C, Maximum wind speed 19.1mph, Wind chill: minus 5.0C, Average wind speed: 11.9mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rain soon reaching from the north during the morning, with snow initially across highest routes. Rain occasionally turning heavy into the afternoon, before clearing to showers late afternoon and early evening, which turn heavier and wintry across highest routes late evening. Strong to gale summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% at dawn becoming 10% or less mid-morning, then 60% late afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
West or southwest mean 40mph with gusts reaching 55mph across more exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius increasing 12 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases becoming extensive from 500m from mid-morning, before lifting and breaking later in the day.
Mountain weather information
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered showers, wintry across higher tops, and brighter spells. Strong winds. Freezing level 900m lifting above the summits soon.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Beginning cloudy with patchy light rain, then turning largely dry and occasionally bright for the afternoon. Fresh winds. Freezing level above the summits.
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional light rain. Fresh winds. Freezing level above the summits.
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.