Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for cold weather to remain across the Lake District for most of the period. The main uncertainties will be the eastward extent of snow showers on Sunday and for the details of Atlantic weather systems from Tuesday which may bring periods of snow, then slightly milder conditions.
This evening forecast
Dry with clear skies and temperatures widely below freezing. Strong northerly winds and a very severe wind chill on the tops.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Sunny morning then a few snow showers in afternoon. Very cold with severe wind chill.
| 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% | 30% | 40% | 20% | <05% |
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 |
NW
31
|
NW
30
|
NW
27
|
NW
24
|
NW
23
|
NW
23
|
NW
23
|
N
23
|
| 600m |
NW
18
|
NW
17
|
NW
17
|
NW
15
|
NW
17
|
NW
16
|
NW
17
|
NW
14
|
| 300m |
NW
7
|
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
NW
4
|
NW
8
|
NW
8
|
NW
7
|
NW
5
|
| Valley |
NW
10
|
NW
9
|
NW
7
|
NW
7
|
NW
9
|
NW
8
|
NW
9
|
N
8
|
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 | 38 | 36 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
| 600m | 26 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 22 |
| 300m | 24 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
| Valley | 26 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
100m
|
100m
|
0m
|
0m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-19°
|
-18°
|
-17°
|
-16°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-15°
|
-17°
|
| 600m |
-14°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-12°
|
-13°
|
| 300m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| Valley |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A bitterly cold day at all heights with serious conditions on the tops due to the extreme wind chill.
Weather
Dry and clear overnight then a sunny morning but valley temperatures struggling to rise above freezing. From late morning and during the afternoon, a few snow showers are expected to spread east. Some uncertainty in the extent of these with northern and eastern fells possibly avoiding them. These showers soon clear away then a dry and clear evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
100%, becoming 60% in afternoon, best chance in north and east.
Low cloud and visibility
Excellent visibility in the morning then deteriorating at times in snow showers, down to a kilometres or less in places with patchy summit cloud too. Skies clearing again by early evening as showers fade.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry with mainly clear or sunny skies. Remaining very cold with a severe wind chill on the tops in the northerly winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
100%.
Maximum wind speed expected
North 20mph gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 5C.
- Valley Minus 4C rising to 2C during day. Shaded slopes staying below freezing.
- Freezing level Ground frozen at all heights.
Low cloud and visibility
Excellent visibility with no cloud on the hills.
Mountain weather information
Tue 6 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A cloudier day with outbreaks of snow spreading eastwards, possibly turning heavy and persistent. The snow may turn to rain or sleet on lower slopes later. Fresh or strong westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 600m later.
Wed 7 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow clearing east then dry and bright again. Remaining cold with strong northerly winds on the tops. Freezing level lowering to 200m.
Thu 8 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Spells of sleet or snow, turning to rain on lower slopes as milder conditions try to push in from the Atlantic. Low confidence.
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.