Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for east to southeast flow persisting also for quite unsettled, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Occasional patchy rain and summit snow. Best of shelter in west. Brisk summit winds easing.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 60% | 60% | 50% | 70% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
E
34
|
SE
36
|
SE
39
|
SE
34
|
S
25
|
S
21
|
| 600m |
E
22
|
SE
24
|
SE
27
|
SE
26
|
S
21
|
S
18
|
| 300m |
SE
6
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
S
9
|
S
7
|
| Valley |
E
6
|
SE
7
|
SE
9
|
SE
10
|
S
8
|
S
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 39 | 42 | 46 | 41 | 30 | 26 |
| 600m | 30 | 32 | 36 | 34 | 29 | 25 |
| 300m | 23 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 19 |
| Valley | 22 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Navigation particularly challenging in the quite extensive hill fog across the east of the part.
Weather
Rather cloudy with patchy light rain and summit snow which will be focused in the east, though there may be a few brighter spells breaking through for western areas for the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in east, 50% in west
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases quiet extensive from 700m in the east
Ground conditions
Date: Friday 30 January Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:30 Full report: Full winter conditions currently prevail on the high Lake District fells. The easterly airflow continues to dominate the Lake District weather redistributing the overnight snow onto westerly aspects. This was settling down to 400m but beginning to thaw at lower levels this afternoon. Many paths are becoming icy where the snow has been compressed beneath walkers feet. On Helvellyn the 'easier' paths of Wythburn and Swirls are both in full winter condition requiring good navigation skills as much of the paths are hidden and some form of spikes on your feet for safe travel. Drifts of new snow are up to calf deep behind features and boulders. The older snow is also consolidating and forming neve (snow ice) on which there is a possibility of long consequential slides which typically run out into boulders. Crampons and an ice axe are strongly recommended for all routes on Helvellyn. They are absolutely essential for any steep or exposed routes such as the Helvellyn Edges which are in serious winter condition with a good covering of ice and neve. Many of the 'easier' routes on the flanks of the ridges are currently banked out with snow, especially on northern aspects, and feel a lot more serious than the crest. As usual in winter conditions Swirral Edge in descent is proving trickier than climbing up Striding Edge so don't relax when you reach the summit! An unsettled weekend in store so please make good plans and ensure you have the correct equipment and knowledge for your winter adventure. Temperature: minus 1.2C, Maximum wind speed 27.1mph, Wind chill: minus 8.7C, Average wind speed: 11.0mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy start with occasional showers. Outbreaks dwindling by late morning as some limited brighter spells develop. Area of rain, snow and lowering cloud feeding from the west late afternoon and through the evening. Snow level 800-900m. Relatively light winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at dawn lifting 70% for a time around mid-day
Maximum wind speed expected
South or southeast 15mph or less
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1-2 Celsius
- Valley Plus 3 increasing 8 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Just above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain and snow, very poor within cloud with bases quiet extensive from 600m early and late in the day
Mountain weather information
Mon 2 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Patchy light rain and summit snow. Fresh to strong summit winds. Freezing level 900-1000 metres.
Tue 3 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Occasional rain and summit snow. Strong east or southeast summit winds. Freezing level 900 metres.
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Occasional rain and summit snow. Fresh or strong east or southeast summit winds. Freezing level 900 metres.
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.