Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the changeable conditions this week, lower for day to day details.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A few bright or sunny intervals and occasional showers which will be of snow on the highest hills, and with a small chance of lightning.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 30% | 50% |
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
33
|
SW
33
|
SW
29
|
S
30
|
S
29
|
S
25
|
| 600m |
SW
27
|
SW
25
|
SW
24
|
S
28
|
S
28
|
S
22
|
| 300m |
SW
9
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
S
10
|
S
11
|
S
9
|
| Valley |
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
SW
7
|
S
9
|
S
9
|
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 | 39 | 36 | 37 | 36 | 31 |
| 600m | 36 | 33 | 32 | 37 | 37 | 30 |
| 300m | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 22 |
| Valley | 24 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Poor underfoot conditions due to the recent very wet weather with some fast flowing, swollen watercourses especially at first, and some flooding in car parks and access roads.
Weather
Bright or sunny intervals, with occasional showers. These will be quite heavy at times, with the chance of lightning, and falling as snow above 800-900m. Cloud more extensive at times over southern fells.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, but 30% in south
Low cloud and visibility
Broken cloud at 600-700m with some patches to 500m, but cloud more persistent over higher southern fells. Visibility occasionally good away from cloud and showers, but falling moderate to poor in the showers, and very poor in hill fog above the cloud line and in snow.
Ground conditions
Monday 1 December. Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:51. Full report: First report of the season today for the Fell Top Assessors! After an idyllic blue sky day yesterday with snow- capped fells and freezing summit temperatures, we were today greeted by a much more aquatic experience on our Helvellyn round. Freezing levels today were above the summits across the region, persistent rain and melting snow meant the rivers were in spate and river crossings currently require care. Whilst the freezing level was above the summit the conditions were wet and coupled with a breeze and slight wind-chill required good protective clothing and layers, plus hats and gloves in order to stay comfortable and warm. Currently the remnants of snow are mainly around the upper cove rims with a scattering of other accumulations in gullies and stream beds on north to east facing slopes predominantly. The top of Swirral Edge today had a reasonable amount of wet snow on it that was unavoidable, today it was passable without technical equipment (crampons/micro-spikes/ice axe) but required care, with slightly cooler temperatures forecast around the higher tops tomorrow it's worth noting that this wet snow could become snow-ice with only a slight freeze and give conditions where micro-spikes and an axe could be required for safe travel. Looking like a slightly drier day tomorrow with some sleet and snow on the highest fells, rivers will remain high and need care. Temperature: plus 4.8C, Maximum wind speed: 14.8mph, Wind chill: minus 0.5C, Average wind speed: 5.6mph,
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly cloudy with occasional showers, some heavy, wintry on summits above 800-900m, and a small chance of lightning. Best of any breaks over the north.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%, but 40% in north
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 25 gusts 35mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 Celsius
- Valley Plus 4 rising to Plus 8 Celsius
- Freezing level 900m
Low cloud and visibility
Broken to overcast cloud bases 500-700m with the odd lower patch in south, occasional breaks in the north. Visibility below the cloud, often good but moderate briefly poor as showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Thu 4 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly cloudy with showers, falling as snow above 600-700m. Moderate southwesterly winds.
Fri 5 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry morning with sunny spells and patchy valley fog. Becoming cloudier in afternoon then rain and strong winds in the evening. Low confidence.
Sat 6 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Confidence remains low, but most likely a showery day with strong to gale force westerly winds.
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.