Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for an unsettled, windy and rather cold spell with weather fronts moving in from the Atlantic, but some uncertainty in the timings. Saturday looks the most promising day for drier and brighter weather.
This evening forecast
Heavy rain, with snow above 600m, soon clearing away east. Drier for a time then showers spreading in from the west, falling as snow above 400m. Strong southwest winds and a severe wind chill. Severe gales 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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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
Spells of rain or snow. Strong winds and summit gales slowly easing. Cold.
| 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) |
80% | 30% | 30% | 70% | 50% | 70% | 70% | 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 |
SW
46
|
SW
46
|
SW
51
|
SW
44
|
SW
40
|
SW
31
|
SW
23
|
NW
23
|
| 600m |
SW
36
|
SW
36
|
SW
42
|
SW
37
|
SW
32
|
SW
25
|
W
18
|
NW
16
|
| 300m |
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
15
|
SW
13
|
SW
11
|
W
7
|
NW
5
|
| Valley |
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
18
|
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
W
13
|
W
6
|
NW
7
|
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 | 54 | 55 | 62 | 54 | 49 | 39 | 27 | 28 |
| 600m | 46 | 48 | 55 | 48 | 43 | 34 | 26 | 23 |
| 300m | 36 | 37 | 42 | 37 | 34 | 27 | 20 | 17 |
| Valley | 36 | 38 | 42 | 38 | 35 | 27 | 16 | 18 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
300m
|
400m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-13°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-13°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A cold day with a severe wind chill at height.
Weather
Clear spells and a few wintry showers in the early hours. A mainly cloudy day with showers or longer spells of rain and hill snow. Snow falling above about 400m. Showers easing during evening with clear spells developing.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud above 500 or 600m, falling lower at times in the south and west. Away from low cloud, visibility good but occasionally a few km or less in rain or snow.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 12 March, Location: Helvellyn summit at 10:55 Temperature: plus 4.0C Maximum wind speed 89.0mph Wind chill: minus 4.7C Average wind speed: 70.4mph Full report: A wild and wet day on the fells today! There has been significant amounts of rainfall and the becks and mountain streams are currently in spate and require care if crossing. The wind speeds at summit level on Helvellyn were higher than forecast at 89.0mph at the time of the readings, and were likely greater than this at times, mobility and safe travel on the plateau was only just possible with lots of care and confidence and with the wind blowing from the SW and directly off the NE facing corrie rim and crags, thought given to how to safely approach the summit. So currently, very serious conditions on the high fells, and with a shift towards cooler temperatures over the coming days, the need to be well prepared and make good decisions will continue. The winds are forecast to drop slightly from being 'storm force', but still expect windy, damp and cold conditions if heading out tomorrow, good quality waterproofs and warm layers will be a must, as well as gloves, hat and other safety essentials. At the time of today's round it was raining to summit level, but with a drop in temperatures forecast with snow and hail from tonight, micro-spikes may be a sensible precaution if heading up high over the coming days until we see if any snow settles on the currently saturated ground.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly dry with bright or clear spells. Just one or two showers possible, wintry above 400m. Windy and cold at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%.
Maximum wind speed expected
West or SW 20 to 25mph gusts 35mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1C.
- Valley Plus 2C rising to 7C.
- Freezing level 600m.
Low cloud and visibility
Mainly good visibility. Some brief reductions in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Sun 15 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain overnight and to start the morning. Bright spells and blustery showers following, wintry above 600m. Strong to gale force southwest winds. Freezing level above summits overnight, falling to 600m later.
Mon 16 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with wintry showers dying out, then outbreaks of rain and summit snow arriving later. Remaining cold and windy with southwesterly gales on the tops. Freezing level 400m rising to 700m.
Tue 17 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain with strong winds likely. Milder with freezing level above 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.