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.
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
Rain clearing to showers around late morning. Fresh to strong winds. Freezing level lowering.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
>95% | 70% | 20% | 20% | 40% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SW
28
|
NW
18
|
W
19
|
W
27
|
W
32
|
W
32
|
| 600m |
SW
19
|
NW
15
|
W
18
|
W
24
|
W
22
|
W
23
|
| 300m |
W
7
|
NW
7
|
W
10
|
W
11
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
| Valley |
W
6
|
NW
5
|
W
9
|
W
11
|
W
7
|
W
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 32 | 21 | 24 | 33 | 38 | 38 |
| 600m | 25 | 20 | 23 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
| 300m | 22 | 19 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
| Valley | 19 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 23 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
4°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
600m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Navigation very difficult at first in rain and extensive hill fog.
Weather
Overcast start with periods of rain that turns heavy at times. Rain turning patchy towards mid-morning, then clearing erratically to showers and brighter spells late morning and early afternoon. Showers becoming heavier and more frequent for a time late afternoon and early evening, while turning to snow above 400-500m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% at dawn, becoming 75% for the afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases extensive from 400m at first before lifting and breaking erratically from mid-morning.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 26 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 10:45 Full report: A beautiful day of sunshine and light winds across the Lake District National Park although full winter conditions still prevail on the high fells. The new snow has been redeposited onto easterly aspects where it is light and fluffy with a layer of graupel on the surface. A couple of days of sunshine have had an effect and the snow level on southerly aspects is around 750m while on shady northerly slopes it's down around 550m. Small cornices exist above easterly aspects. Microspikes or crampons are currently essential above 850m where a surprising amount of ice has formed especially on the northern flanks of Swirral Edge and across the Helvellyn plateau. Walkers on the popular Swirls path described the last 30 minutes to the summit as being like a skating rink. 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 which are now frozen hard and hidden below the new snow. The patch that may present the highest risk is to be found on climbers right of the exit slopes to Swirral Edge. The consequences of a slip here could be very severe so please take extra care and ensure you are suitably equipped. Winter conditions are likely to remain for the next few days so please Be Adventure Smart - check the weather forecast and ensure you have the correct clothing, equipment and skills for your planned adventure. Temperature: minus 1.9C, Maximum wind speed 10.7mph, Wind chill: minus 8.4C, Average wind speed: 7.8mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy start with showers or longer periods of snow and rain, with the risk of hail and thunder. Showers dwindling through the afternoon and evening. Snow level 400-600m. Strong summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% becoming 70% for the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
West or northwest 25-30mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2 Celsius increasing plus 1 or Zero Celsius for the afternoon
- Valley Plus 1 Celsius increasing 10 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 600m at dawn, lifting 1000m for the afternoon
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 for the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Sun 29 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered showers merging to longer periods of rain and summit snow either side of noon. Strong to gale summit winds. Freezing level 900-1000m.
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with scattered showers. Fresh to strong winds. Freezing level above the summits.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with patchy light rain. Fresh to strong 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.