Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for Wednesday. High for changeable weather to continue for the rest of the week.
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.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
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.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
Mountain weather forecast
Very cold and windy with scattered snow and hail showers
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 30% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
NW
44
|
NW
39
|
NW
42
|
NW
36
|
NW
34
|
NW
28
|
| 600m |
NW
32
|
NW
30
|
NW
33
|
NW
29
|
NW
23
|
NW
18
|
| 300m |
NW
12
|
NW
12
|
NW
14
|
NW
13
|
NW
9
|
NW
6
|
| Valley |
NW
9
|
NW
11
|
NW
13
|
NW
13
|
NW
9
|
NW
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 51 | 47 | 52 | 46 | 42 | 33 |
| 600m | 42 | 39 | 45 | 40 | 32 | 27 |
| 300m | 36 | 34 | 39 | 35 | 27 | 21 |
| Valley | 34 | 31 | 36 | 32 | 26 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
500m
|
400m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-14°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-10°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Feeling bitterly cold in the strong to gale higher summit winds. Progress will be slow with a risk of being blown over on the higher tops.
Weather
Variable amounts of cloud and scattered sleet, snow or hail showers through the day, but some drier spells of weather too. Showers dying out in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%
Low cloud and visibility
Very good visibility with great air clarity outside of showers. Visibility suddenly becoming poor as any snow showers pass by, with cloud lowering to 800 metres. Otherwise patches of cloud down to 900 metres shrouding the higher summits at times.
Ground conditions
Date: Tuesday 24 March. Location: Blencathra summit at 11:30: Temperature: plus 5.1 deg C. Maximum wind speed 30.4 mph. Wind chill: minus 2.0 deg C. Average wind speed: 19.9 mph. Full report: An extremely wet and windy but relatively warm day on the Lake District fells. The few remaining patches of snow on steep north through east aspects above 850m were thawing rapidly. There were some areas of localised flooding and many streams are in spate. The freezing level is forecast to drop dramatically at dusk with snow potentially falling as low as 300m. Conditions on Wednesday could be extremely challenging with blizzards, gusty gale force winds, a risk of thunder and lightning and still very wet underfoot with some stream crossings impassable. Please be very conservative with your plans and ensure you are suitably equipped and skilled for the conditions.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Chance of a few snow showers at first. Otherwise dry for most of the day but clouding over after a bright start. A little light and patchy rain possible later in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly average speeds 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph at first, winds easing by the afternoon
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 rising to plus 2 Celsius late evening
- Valley Minus 2 rising to plus 8 Celsius
- Freezing level 200 metres rising to 600 metres, and rising above the summits towards late evening
Low cloud and visibility
Very good visibility and air clarity for much of the day with a few patches of summit cloud above 900 metres. Low cloud will become more extensive later in the evening, lowering to 500 to 800 metres.
Mountain weather information
Fri 27 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with rain at first. Then the rest of the day will be bright with showers, wintry on the higher tops.
Sat 28 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Variable cloud cover and the chance of a few sleet or snow showers, but some drier weather too.
Sun 29 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
After a dry start rain will soon spread from the west. Windy with southwesterly summit gales.
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.