Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally settled conditions on Sunday and Monday but some uncertainty in patchy rain and cloud details. High for a change to much more unsettled and changeable conditions from Tuesday onwards.
This evening forecast
Dry with clear intervals, mainly in the north, but thicker cloud will spread up from the south at times with the odd spot of light rain possible. Light southerly winds. Freezing level variable, mainly about 800 or 900m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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
Some brightness at first but low cloud and patchy rain spreading north. Light winds.
| 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) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
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 |
S
18
|
S
15
|
S
16
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
17
|
S
19
|
S
18
|
| 600m |
S
16
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
13
|
S
14
|
S
14
|
S
15
|
S
15
|
| 300m |
S
4
|
S
3
|
S
3
|
S
3
|
S
6
|
S
7
|
S
5
|
S
6
|
| Valley |
S
2
|
S
3
|
SE
3
|
SE
2
|
S
5
|
S
6
|
S
3
|
S
4
|
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 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| 600m | 22 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 |
| 300m | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 |
| Valley | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,200m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A touch of frost at first in northern valleys but freezing level rising well above summits during the morning. Some difficult conditions for navigation on the tops due to the fog, especially in the afternoon and evening.
Weather
Mainly dry overnight and to start the morning with best of the clear or bright spells in the north but cloudier in the south of the Park. Thicker cloud and patchy light rain are expected to spread north through the morning and continue for the rest of the day. Some fleeting brightness is possible, mainly in the north and east.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% at first, becoming 20% through the morning. Best chance in north.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud and fog above 400 or 500mm overnight and to start the morning, this becoming extensive through the morning, especially over southern and central fells but lifting at times over northern and eastern fells. Away from low cloud, visibility mainly good but patchy valley fog in the north at first and brief reductions in any rain.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 7 March. Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:10. Temperature: minus 1.1C. Maximum wind speed 17.5mph. Wind chill: minus 9.0C. Average wind speed: 12.6mph. Full report: A spectacular high pressure day across the National Park with plenty of sunshine, cloud inversions and brocken spectres The late afternoon sun yesterday and throughout today has stripped much of the new snow up to summit level on south through west aspects. There was a solid freeze to valley level overnight and this has meant that snow lying on shady north through east aspects was still granular and firm with a snow level of around 700m. The isolated patches of old snow (neve) which are predominately to be found on steep north through east aspects above 800m have frozen hard and are a hazard if you stray on to them. However the vast majority of them are well away from popular paths with the notable exception of the exit slopes to Swirral Edge where the gully on climbers right should be avoided without spikes. Striding Edge was easily climbed today on dry grippy rock without setting foot on snow. However the upper reaches of Swirral Edge had a number of areas of compacted icy snow which were tricky to avoid and microspikes were very useful. Despite it being shorts and t-shirt weather in the valley summit temperatures were back below freezing with a bitter windchill of -9C. Please be prepared with plenty of warm and waterproof clothing including hats and gloves to safely enjoy your adventures.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy and mild with patchy light rain or drizzle. A few bright or clear intervals at times in the north and east.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%, best chance in north.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southwest 10 to 15mph, increasing to 25mph gusts 35mph in evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 to 7C.
- Valley Plus 8C rising to 12C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud and fog above 400 or 500m, lifting to higher slopes at times in the north and east. Below the cloud base visibility rather hazy, reducing to a few km at times in rain or drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Tue 10 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly cloudy with patchy light rain during the day then rain turning more heavy and persistent in the evening. Strong southwesterly winds, but severe gale on the tops later. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 11 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy rain overnight, clearing early morning. A brighter and colder day with sunshine and scattered showers, wintry on the tops. Strong west or southwest winds, gales early and late. Freezing level 900m.
Thu 12 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Very unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain, heavy at times with snow possible on the tops. Strong or gale force winds are likely.
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.