Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High rather unsettled through the coming days and a largely fine day on Thursday, but low for developments Friday and Saturday due to uncertainties over the track of a deep low, currently expected to move northeast across Northwest Scotland through Friday.
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.
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
Cloudy morning with patchy rain and drizzle. Brighter afternoon
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
W
28
|
W
20
|
W
20
|
W
20
|
SW
18
|
SW
16
|
| 600m |
W
20
|
W
15
|
W
17
|
W
18
|
SW
13
|
SW
12
|
| 300m |
NW
6
|
W
7
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
SW
5
|
SW
3
|
| Valley |
W
4
|
W
5
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
SW
3
|
W
2
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 32 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 19 |
| 600m | 26 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 17 |
| 300m | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 13 |
| Valley | 20 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 11 | 8 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,600m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Temperatures in valleys rising to plus 13 or 14 Celsius but still feeling cold on the fells.
Weather
Cloudy through the early hours, perhaps a few clearer spells in the east, with, especially across western parts, patchy rain and drizzle. Then a mostly cloudy start with patchy rain and drizzle, mainly across western fells, but some brighter spells in the east, which develop more widely for the afternoon with most places becoming dry.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance at first in west and around 25% in east becoming nearer 75% in the afternoon. Chances fall again later in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud, but more occasional at times in east, above about 450-600m, with patches below becoming occasional above about 750-900m during the afternoon, cloud increasing again later in the evening. Away from cloud visibility good falling to several kilometres at times in rain and drizzle.
Ground conditions
Date: Monday 30 March. Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:43. Temperature: plus 0.1C. Maximum wind speed 35.0mph. Wind chill: minus 9.8C. Average wind speed: 15.0mph. Full report: Winter conditions persist on the high fells and Helvellyn above 850m, but it is fast changing in terms of underfoot conditions. The snow-line went up yesterday with a partial thaw and rain to summit level in the afternoon, followed by a drop in temperature through the evening and fresh snow above 850m leaving a more defined snow-line than on previous days. The new snow is a light dusting and has been blown about down wind and into hollows and gully heads in small accumulations, there is also still remnants of old snow and what remains of the various deposits over the last few days still present. So above 850m it is a real mix of underfoot conditions, safe to say micro-spikes will be welcome on many routes, particularly exposed routes such as Swirral and Striding Edges, though the crest of Striding Edge was starting to clear its snow at the time of todays report, while the flanks and upper final ascent remain snowy in places. An axe may also be a welcome addition on exposed terrain as an extra point of contact in the gusty winds and lightly snowed conditions. It remains very cold with a low wind-chill so full winter clothing with warm layers, hat, gloves, goggles and other winter essentials are all still necessary. Tomorrow looks marginally warmer again with some rain to summit level in the morning and varied cloud, these conditions often feel more uncomfortable however with the 'wet cold' sapping heat away so plan for a damp and cool day on the fells if heading up high.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle in west, but brighter in east with some sunny spells through the morning and early afternoon. Cloud developing more widely through the afternoon with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain developing for the late afternoon and evening, the rain becoming patchier, with some summit snow, towards midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 40% in the east until mid-afternoon, otherwise close to zero.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 15mph increasing 20-25mph for the afternoon, veering more northwesterly towards midnight.
Temperature
- At 800m Around plus 4 or 5 Celsius, falling to plus 1 Celsius towards midnight
- Valley Plus 6 or 7 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 12 or 13 Celsius by day
- Freezing level Above the summits, falling to 900m towards midnight.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above about 600-750m, but more occasional above 750m at times in east, until mid-afternoon then cloud lowering to 450-600m, with patches below. Away from cloud visibility good or very good falling to several kilometres in rain and drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Thu 2 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry through daylight hours with good sunny spells, but cloud and outbreaks of rain, summit snow, spreading east in evening. Mainly light winds. Freezing level around 600m, rising above summits later.
Fri 3 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasionally heavy rain, clearing to sunny spells and showers in afternoon. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds, severe gales likely on summits. Freezing level above summits.
Sat 4 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright start but cloud and rain, risk of summit snow, soon spreading northeast. Winds becoming mainly light. Freezing level falling to 600m overnight then rising to just above the summits through the day.
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.