Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
A changeable week with significant temperature variation. High for general developments. Medium for cloud details.
This evening forecast
Mainly dry with clearing skies. Moderate of fresh north or northwest winds at height. Lowering freezing level.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry and bright. Strengthening winds later.
| 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) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | <05% | 20% | 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 |
N
17
|
NE
10
|
E
5
|
S
11
|
SW
16
|
SW
21
|
S
30
|
SW
34
|
| 600m |
N
12
|
NE
8
|
E
4
|
S
8
|
SW
15
|
SW
18
|
S
24
|
SW
28
|
| 300m |
N
7
|
N
5
|
E
2
|
S
6
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
S
10
|
SW
12
|
| Valley |
N
6
|
N
7
|
E
4
|
S
3
|
SW
9
|
SW
10
|
S
11
|
SW
13
|
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 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 28 | 38 | 43 |
| 600m | 20 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 25 | 34 | 40 |
| 300m | 16 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 27 | 30 |
| Valley | 15 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 19 | 25 | 28 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
700m
|
700m
|
1,400m
|
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 |
-7°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Early frost possible in the valleys.
Weather
Dry with clear spells overnight, perhaps some mist or freezing fog in the valleys by dawn. Any mist or freezing fog clearing during the morning and staying dry and bright for much of the day, although high level cloud at times. Patchy light rain possible by evening with some cloud developing over the summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%, falling 50% in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally no significant low cloud, but cloud could develop around the summits during the evening. Visibility mostly very good or excellent, except in valley mist and fog, and summit cloud later.
Ground conditions
Date Sunday 22 March. Location Helvellyn summit at 09:52. Temperature plus 4.4degC. Maximum wind speed 15.1mph. Wind chill minus 1.3degC. Average wind speed: 10.6mph Full report Dry and clear on Helvellyn today at the time of our readings, noticeably cooler with a fresh westerly breeze. There was low cloud across many of the south Lakes valleys whilst the north was clearer, most higher summits were clear above the cloud though giving atmospheric conditions for being on the fells. The snow cover is confined to NE facing corrie rims only, with the only problematic patch being at the top of Swirral Edge where care is needed. Tomorrow looks clear and cool again, and a great day to be on the fells, Tuesday is looking a bit less settled with a distinct drop in temperatures during the day and possibly some hill snow later on. So whilst crampons/micro-spikes aren't currently needed for the majority of routes, this could change during the week, and normal hill equipment and additional warm layers and gloves and hat remain a good idea. If you can be out tomorrow, it looks like a great day to be on the fells! This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloud thickening and lowering overnight with outbreaks of rain. Remaining cloudy during daylight hours with outbreaks of rain, the rain heavy and persistent at times. Strong to gale force summit winds and buffeting. Cloud lifting and breaking during the evening with showers turning wintry over the summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% rising to 40% in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 30 to 40mph gusting 60mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 Celsius, falling to Plus 1 Celsius later.
- Valley Plus 5 to 10 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits, falling to around 900m later.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud much of daylight hours, base 300 to 600m, lifting and breaking towards the summits in the evening. Visibility often moderate to very poor.
Mountain weather information
Wed 25 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy or bright with wintry showers. Strong west or northwest winds at height with a severe wind chill. Freezing level 300 to 600m.
Thu 26 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with sunny or clear spells with an early frost. Moderate to fresh west or northwest winds at height. Freezing most levels, rising to around the summits during the day. Cloudier later with patchy rain and snow possible by midnight.
Fri 27 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overnight rain, with snow at first at height. Rain dying out during the morning with drier and brighter spells developing in the afternoon. Southwest becoming northwest winds, fresh to strong at times. Freezing level near or above the summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.