Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for general developments. Medium for cloud details.
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.
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.
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.
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
Rain and wind. Drier with easing winds later.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
80% | 80% | 80% | 40% | 20% | 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 |
S
57
|
S
51
|
SW
28
|
SW
24
|
SW
26
|
SW
30
|
| 600m |
S
43
|
S
39
|
SW
21
|
SW
20
|
SW
21
|
SW
22
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
S
10
|
SW
6
|
SW
8
|
SW
7
|
SW
7
|
| Valley |
S
10
|
S
10
|
SW
6
|
SW
7
|
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 66 | 59 | 34 | 30 | 32 | 36 |
| 600m | 54 | 51 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 30 |
| 300m | 40 | 36 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
| Valley | 37 | 34 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,500m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Uncertain how quickly conditions will improve in the afternoon.
Weather
Rain and drizzle overnight and through the morning, occasionally heavy. Turning drier from the west through the afternoon, some brighter spells by dusk. Occasional clear spells in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% becoming 70% by dusk.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud, base 600 to 900m, patches or occasional base 300 to 600m, the cloud gradually lifting and breaking near or above the summits through the afternoon. Visibility moderate to very poor, becoming mostly good or very good through the afternoon and evening.
Ground conditions
Date Sunday 1 March. Location Helvellyn summit at 1155. Temperature plus 2.2degC. Maximum wind speed 31.4mph. Wind chill minus 5.4degC. Average wind speed 24.6mph Full report. New Snow, Small Drifts There was little sign of meteorological spring on the high Lakeland fells today. Conditions steadily deteriorated through the morning, with strengthening winds, persistent rain, and poor visibility combining to make for a challenging day on the hill. With driving rain and gusting winds, there was little opportunity to remain dry - a thorough soaking was almost unavoidable. Any breaks needed to be brief and efficient before the chill quickly set in. Small patches of fresh snow had fallen overnight and into the early morning above around 850m. This was present only as thin streaks and shallow accumulations of wet snow, offering no meaningful cover. A check of the top of Striding Edge revealed little consequence from the new snowfall, which could easily be avoided. More notable hazards today were the combination of wet rock and strong winds along the Helvellyn Edges. Across much of the region, poor visibility understandably put many people off from venturing onto higher ground. Parties were wise to turn back early if under-equipped or uncertain. A full set of waterproofs (jacket and trousers) was essential to keep out the persistent wet. Monday morning looks set to bring similar conditions, with the freezing level hovering around the highest summits. This may allow further snow flurries before brighter conditions develop later in the day, with Tuesday and Wednesday currently looking more favourable for days on the fells. This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Low cloud with occasional rain or showers overnight. Dry with any low cloud soon clearing to leave a bright day with sunny spells. Clear skies in the evening with mist and freezing fog patches possibly forming in the valleys.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% overnight becoming 90% daylight hours.
Maximum wind speed expected
Variable 5 to 10mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Zero to Plus 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 to 8 Celsius
- Freezing level Around the summits, rising above the summit during the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate to very poor in low cloud and rain, but mostly very good.
Mountain weather information
Wed 4 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud, mist and freezing fog possible overnight and through the morning, otherwise dry with sunny or clear spells. Light or moderate south or southeast winds at height. Freezing level could be well down at first, but mainly near or above the summits.
Thu 5 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain, heavy at times, turning to snow over the summits as it clears. Fresh to strong south becoming northwest winds. Freezing level above the summits, lowering 600m later.
Fri 6 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with bright, sunny or clear spells. Moderate or fresh northwest winds at height. Freezing level near the 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.