Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for remaining unsettled and turning colder but lower for details of any brighter or clearer spells
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Rather cloudy with, especially in east, occasional rain. Strengthening winds
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SE
24
|
E
29
|
E
28
|
E
32
|
E
39
|
E
41
|
| 600m |
SE
15
|
E
14
|
E
18
|
E
22
|
E
25
|
E
26
|
| 300m |
SE
5
|
E
4
|
SE
7
|
E
7
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
| Valley |
E
4
|
NE
3
|
E
5
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 28 | 34 | 33 | 40 | 47 | 50 |
| 600m | 22 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 34 | 35 |
| 300m | 15 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 28 |
| Valley | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Significant chill effect increasing through the day as winds increase, gusts around 55mph over ridges and summits.
Weather
A rather cloudy day, although western fells will see some bright, or perhaps even sunny, spells with, especially across eastern fells occasional light rain and drizzle, falling increasingly as snow above about 750m. Cloudy through the evening with further light rain and drizzle, this turning increasingly to snow above about 450m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance in east, but around 25% in west
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above 450-600m in east, with patches below, but in the west cloud more occasional above 600-750m at times. Away from cloud visibility good, falling to several kilometres in rain and drizzle, and perhaps a kilometre in snow.
Ground conditions
Fell Top Assessor's Report Sunday 1 February. Location: Helvellyn summit at 15:12. Full report: Fresh Snow, Light Winds A much gentler day in the eastern Lake District than expected. With some forecasts suggesting persistent rain developing through the day, it was a pleasant surprise to experience little more than the finest spotting late in the afternoon. Cloud lifted gradually, though periods of mountain mist associated with mild temperatures drifted in and out. Visibility fluctuated widely, at times dropping to around 100 m, but at others opening out to give clear views across the Solway towards Dumfries and Galloway. With summit temperatures hovering around freezing, a noticeable covering of fresh snow had fallen overnight on Helvellyn. This snowfall appears to have occurred in very light winds, similar to those experienced during the afternoon, as the cover was uniform and showed little evidence of being wind transported. As the day progressed, temperatures edged slightly above freezing and a slow thaw set in. It would not take much of a temperature drop to firm this snowpack, which looks increasingly likely towards the latter part of Monday. Substantial older drifts remain in places, and the fresh snow is masking paths and tracks above 850 m. At a minimum, micro-spikes are advised to maintain secure progress across the highest ground, particularly with strengthening winds forecast for Monday. Striding Edge is reported to be largely free of snow, while Swirral Edge is holding more, where crampons provide better security on slushy yet compacted tracks. The western slopes of Helvellyn are also proving problematic with a steep section of snow just beyond the halfway point on the Swirls path to be negotiated. For climbers: most buttresses are currently black, though a few ice smears have survived the last couple of days. Should temperatures drop, gullies remain the most promising venues for winter climbing. Full winter kit is still essential for anyone venturing above 600 m. https://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/
Mountain weather information
Weather
Another rather cloudy day with, especially for eastern fells, occasional, mainly light, sleet and snow, falling increasingly as rain below about 450m. Some brighter spells possible across western fells. Feeling very cold in the strong easterly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance in east, but around 25% in west
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 25-35mph, with gusts around 55mph over ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Around minus 1 Celsius
- Valley Around plus 3 Celsius at dawn rising to 6 Celsius by day
- Freezing level Around 600m
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above 450-600m in east, with patches below, but in the west cloud more occasional above 600-750m at times. Away from cloud visibility good, falling to several kilometres in rain, drizzle and sleet, and perhaps a kilometre in snow.
Mountain weather information
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with, especially for eastern hills, occasional rain and initially snow, becoming drier and clearer in evening. Strong easterly winds turning more southerly and easing. Freezing level lifting above summits.
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright start, perhaps persisting in the west, becoming mostly cloudy again with, especially in east, occasional rain and snow. Winds becoming easterly and strengthening. Freezing level falling to 450m.
Fri 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Little change, cold with some brightness in west but generally rather cloudy with, mainly in east, patchy sleet and snow. Strong easterly winds easing. Freezing level 300-450m.
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.