Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled and changeable start, but lowering for the detail later in the period.
This evening forecast
Area of snow spreading from the west, occasionally turning heavy towards midnight, with blizzards, severe wind chill, extensive hill fog and severe gale, perhaps storm force, summit winds bringing hazardous conditions.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Mountain weather forecast
Showers or longer periods of snow and rain. Gale, perhaps initially storm force, summit winds. Freezing level lifting.
| 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) |
>95% | 90% | 60% | 40% | 80% | 70% | 40% | 40% |
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 |
S
50
|
S
45
|
S
33
|
S
23
|
S
25
|
SW
26
|
W
26
|
W
24
|
| 600m |
S
39
|
S
37
|
S
24
|
S
19
|
S
21
|
SW
20
|
W
21
|
W
20
|
| 300m |
S
17
|
S
14
|
S
6
|
S
5
|
S
7
|
SW
8
|
W
8
|
W
9
|
| Valley |
S
13
|
S
12
|
SE
7
|
S
6
|
S
8
|
SW
9
|
W
8
|
W
9
|
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 | 61 | 55 | 40 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 30 |
| 600m | 54 | 53 | 34 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
| 300m | 43 | 38 | 21 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
| Valley | 34 | 31 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
200m
|
500m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-16°
|
-15°
|
-11°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-12°
|
-12°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-7°
|
-6°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds 10-15mph stronger than the speeds above across most exposed ridges and summits, with a risk of storms during the early hours. Very difficult conditions at height in extensive hill fog, driving snow, severe wind chill and strong to gale winds.
Weather
Overcast overnight with periods of snow that turn heavy at times, with blizzard conditions at height. A cloudy day with occasional snow and rain, generally light and patchy through the morning, turning heavier for the afternoon. Snow to low levels at dawn lifting to 600-700m from late morning. Frequent showers for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy by day with frequent showers, these wintry above around 600m. Fresh to strong summit winds, bringing a further severe wind chill at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%
Maximum wind speed expected
West to northwest 20-30mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across most exposed ridges and summits
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius increasing 7 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 700-800m
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite frequently lowering 700m.
Mountain weather information
Tue 17 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Looking set to be the best day's weather of the forecast period with all expected to stay dry and see plenty of winter sunshine coupled with relatively light winds. Cold however with freezing level around 300m.
Wed 18 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Generally dry with some brighter spells, but strong to gale easterly summit winds bringing a severe wind chill down to mid-levels as the freezing level stays around 300m. Also an increasing chance of some snow feeding from the south later in the day.
Thu 19 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and occasionally bright. Freezing level lifting to around 500m. Fresh to strong easterly winds.
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.