Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for remaining unsettled, although a somewhat drier day Monday, but lower for details, especially from Tuesday.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, summit snow. Winds easing
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 60% | 60% | 50% | 50% | 30% |
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
17
|
S
15
|
S
12
|
S
8
|
SE
7
|
SE
7
|
| 600m |
SW
13
|
S
15
|
SW
8
|
S
7
|
S
6
|
SE
6
|
| 300m |
SW
4
|
S
6
|
S
4
|
S
5
|
S
4
|
SE
3
|
| Valley |
SW
1
|
SE
3
|
SE
4
|
S
4
|
E
1
|
SE
1
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 19 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| 600m | 16 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| 300m | 13 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Valley | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
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 |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Significant chill expected despite easing winds with extensive cloud and rain around.
Weather
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, with sleet or wet snow above about 750-800m, the precipitation most persistent across southern and western fells, were the odd heavier burst is possible. The best of any drier, and perhaps brighter, interludes across more northern fells. The rain gradually becomes patchier through the afternoon and evening
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance across southern and western fells, but 25% for northern fells.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above about 450-600m, with patches below, especially across southern and western fells, but northern fells seeing periods above 600-750m at times. Away from cloud visibility generally rather hazy falling to several kilometres in rain and perhaps less than a kilometre in snow.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 31 January. Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:40. Temperature: plus 0.8 degC. Maximum wind speed 30.8mph. Wind chill: minus 6.8 degC. Average wind speed: 22mph. Full report: Thawing and Rainy Conditions. The high Lakeland winter wonderland of recent days largely vanished today as a widespread thaw set in. Persistent rain dominated throughout the day, with only brief interludes of sleet, hail, and occasional snow above around 900 m. The snowpack, which had been extensively deposited and redistributed by wind over the past week, is now saturated throughout. As a result, previously firm ice and hard-packed snow have largely been replaced by soft, wet snow. Visibility deteriorated significantly above 700 m, reducing to less than 30m on the Helvellyn summit at times. Combined with driving sleet, hail, and snow, goggles were a sensible choice. Steep edges require extra care in these conditions. While the east-facing headwall shows no obvious cornice development, cornices are likely to persist on northerly aspects and should be treated with caution-avoid close inspection from above. Snow has been largely stripped from the south side of Striding Edge, but remains on the north side, where the lower off-ridge path is banked out and tracked. Choosing between crampons and micro-spikes is not straightforward on Striding Edge due to the mix of wet snow and exposed rock. By contrast, Swirral Edge is holding more snow, where crampons and an ice axe are favourable given the slushy, slippery wet surface. The combination of wet weather, low temperatures, and 20-30 mph winds is particularly hazardous if under-dressed. A full set of waterproofs-not just a jacket-is essential, along with adequate insulating layers. These milder conditions should not be underestimated; parties should pack with the expectation of having to stop or shelter if required.Sunday's forecast suggests a continuation of similar conditions, with rain, winds, and the freezing level hovering around the highest Lakeland summits.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy overnight with outbreaks of rain, summit snow, dying out towards dawn. Then a rather cloudy day, especially for southern and eastern fells were patchy rain or summit snow is possible, the best of any brighter spells expected across more northern and western fells, where it will be largely dry.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 25% in south and east but nearer 40% in the north and west
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 10mph or less increasing 25-30mph through the morning, with gusts around 45mph over ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Around plus 1 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 or 3 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 6 or 7 Celsius by day
- Freezing level 900m
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above 450-600m gradually becoming periods above 600-750m across southern and eastern fells but occasional or periods above 600-750m for northern and western fells. Away from cloud visibility rather hazy or good, falling to several kilometres in rain and perhaps a kilometre in snow.
Mountain weather information
Tue 3 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with, especially for eastern fells, outbreaks of rain, sleet and increasingly snow, best of any brighter spells in west. Strong easterly winds, easing later. Freezing level falling to 600m.
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain and initially snow, some brighter, drier spells in west. Fresh easterly winds veering more southerly. Freezing level rising above the summits.
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain, perhaps some summit snow. Strengthening easterly winds, summit gales possible. Freezing level just above 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.