Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather patterns through Tuesday then for high pressure extending from the northeast thereafter, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Rain and snow clearing to showers mid-afternoon. Strong to gale summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 90% | 80% | 40% | 60% | 70% |
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
41
|
SW
52
|
SW
39
|
SW
36
|
W
38
|
W
34
|
| 600m |
S
38
|
SW
38
|
W
33
|
W
29
|
W
28
|
W
27
|
| 300m |
S
15
|
SW
13
|
W
13
|
W
12
|
W
9
|
W
11
|
| Valley |
S
9
|
SW
15
|
W
13
|
W
14
|
W
10
|
W
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 48 | 61 | 48 | 45 | 46 | 43 |
| 600m | 48 | 49 | 42 | 38 | 38 | 36 |
| 300m | 37 | 38 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 30 |
| Valley | 28 | 38 | 30 | 33 | 27 | 30 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
800m
|
1,400m
|
1,000m
|
800m
|
600m
|
500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-10°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
2°
|
5°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gales becoming widespread for a time across most exposed ridges and summits.
Weather
A cloudy start with some patchy light snow, which turns heavier and more persistent before mid-morning, before clearing to scattered showers by mid-afternoon. Showers turning heavier during the early to mid-evening, bringing the chance of thunderstorms. Snow level 600m lifting above summits late morning, lowering 600m again in early evening showers, before penetrating to quite low levels towards midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at first, lowering 10% or less by mid-morning, then lifting 70% by mid-afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain and showers, very poor in snow and within cloud, which will be quite extensive from 500m at first before lifting and breaking for the afternoon.
Ground conditions
Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:00, Temperature: minus 0.3C, Maximum wind speed 22.7mph, Wind chill: minus 8.6C, Average wind speed: 20.1mph Full report: A spectacular day on Helvellyn with plenty of folk out enjoying the return to winter conditions. Even the snow buntings were out! The recent snowfall has thawed slightly before refreezing last night giving a breakable icy crust. After this drop in temperature copious amounts of graupel (ice pellets) were deposited on the mountain which have settled in hollows up to calf deep. These areas are unstable and require a positive approach but were generally easily avoided. The few remaining areas of neve (old snow ice) have also refrozen giving a firm and slippery surface which is hidden beneath the new snow. The majority of the snow is to be found on north through east aspects with small unstable cornices forming above these slopes. Looking west there appeared to be a lot less snow on the Central fells (Scafell Pike, Great Gable etc) The snow has fallen on unfrozen ground and despite their wintery appearance the Helvellyn gullies are not in condition. Please read the BMC White Guide and make good decisions about protecting the very rare alpine plants which eke out an existence on this cliff. Crampons and an ice axe are strongly recommended for routes above the snow line which venture onto steep and exposed terrain including Swirral Edge which is still holding a lot of snow. Striding Edge was drier and microspikes were sufficient for a safe traverse. Microspikes are also recommended for easier routes such as the Swirls as Wythburn paths to help you deal with the wide variety of conditions you will encounter underfoot. Please note bum sliding onto Swirral Edge is a very high risk activity with serious consequences if you make a mistake and is not to be recommended. Conditions on Sunday are forecast to be a lot more challenging with gale force winds, extensive rain eventually turning to snow above 600m and limited visibility in a blanket of fog. Please ensure you are suitable equipped for your adventure and make sound mountaineering judgements. The high winds are likely to redeposit the extensive areas of graupel and goggles may be very useful.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Beginning with brighter spells and only a few isolated showers, these wintry above 500m. Cloud thickening from the west to bring periods of light to moderate rain from around midday, which turns patchy for the evening. Strong summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75% at dawn becoming 10% from mid-day
Maximum wind speed expected
West or southwest mean 20-30mph, with gusts reaching 45mph across more exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2 Celsius increasing 4 Celsius for the afternoon
- Valley Plus 1 Celsius increasing 9 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 600m lifting above summits by midday
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain and showers, very poor in early snow showers and within cloud, which becomes extensive from 500m from late morning.
Mountain weather information
Tue 17 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with patchy rain and strong to gale summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 18 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with brighter spells increasing into the afternoon. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.
Thu 19 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with bright and sunny spells. Light winds. 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.