Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for wet and windy weather on Sunday becoming lower for cloud and rain details on Monday. High for more settled conditions on Tuesday as high pressure builds but some uncertainty in how long it will last.
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.
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.
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
Widespread gales at height. Cloudy with spells of rain. Summit snow at first.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | >95% | >95% | 60% | 60% | 40% |
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
40
|
S
41
|
S
46
|
S
49
|
S
51
|
S
53
|
| 600m |
S
33
|
S
34
|
S
33
|
S
36
|
S
38
|
S
40
|
| 300m |
S
10
|
S
13
|
S
6
|
S
13
|
S
13
|
S
13
|
| Valley |
S
8
|
S
8
|
S
8
|
S
12
|
S
13
|
S
14
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 46 | 48 | 54 | 58 | 61 | 64 |
| 600m | 45 | 45 | 43 | 48 | 51 | 53 |
| 300m | 31 | 33 | 27 | 37 | 39 | 41 |
| Valley | 28 | 26 | 29 | 34 | 38 | 39 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,900m
|
1,800m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gales bringing arduous and tiring conditions on higher slopes and ridges with a chance of being blown over. Drenching conditions in the rain and feeling cold, despite the milder temperatures.
Weather
Sunday will be cloudy with rain becoming persistent and turning heavy at times. Snow at first above 700m before milder air quickly arrives. Rain or drizzle turning more sporadic through the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Less than 10%, becoming 60% in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Poor visibility at height for much of the period with extensive low cloud developing in the morning, bases 300 to 500m but higher at times in the east. Cloud lifting on to higher slopes in the evening.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 28 February, Location: Helvellyn summit at 15:46, Temperature: plus 0.3°C, Maximum wind speed 19.5mph, Wind chill: minus 7.7°C, Average wind speed: 11.3mph Full report: After some morning cloud and snow flurries, it cleared into a perfect blue sky day on Helvellyn, it was dry underfoot and after last night's slight freeze the remaining patches of snow dotted about on N-E aspects had hardened up, Swirral and Striding Edges are now passable without having to cross snow or ice and the rock today was dry by the end, however care is still needed not to be taken by surprise by the few remaining patches if moving quickly, as they are now hard icy trodden snow. The only steep snow you are likely to encounter now is where it has been actively sought out, and even this is now quite limited. The very top of Swirral Edge is probably the place to be most careful currently, whilst the snow is avoidable, the natural line down draws you into an area of stubborn exposed icy snow. Today gave very comfortable conditions for moving around up high but the wind-chill was still -7.7 at the time of the readings and so more challenging conditions could quickly return, so still lots of warm clothing needed, hat and gloves, and other safety essentials in the pack. Tomorrow and Monday look a lot more unsettled, with rain and strong winds, so if heading up high prepare for a challenging day on the fells and pack plenty of warm layers and good waterproofs as it looks both wet and cold with the wind-chill factored in. This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with periods of rain, heavy at times in the morning with strong winds. Rain and winds gradually easing through the afternoon. Dry with clear spells developing in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%, becoming 70% later when rain clears.
Maximum wind speed expected
South 30mph gusts 50mph at first, easing to 10 to 15mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5C, falling to Plus 1C in afternoon.
- Valley Plus 9 or 10C, falling to Plus 5C in evening.
- Freezing level Above summits, becoming 900m in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Poor visibility at height with extensive cloud, bases 500 to 700m. Cloud slowly lifting and breaking through the afternoon with visibility improving.
Mountain weather information
Tue 3 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Widespread frost overnight then dry with sunny spells and light winds. Freezing level 900m becoming 700m.
Wed 4 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry but cloudy with perhaps a little rain arriving. Strong winds on the tops. Freezing level 700m rising above summits.
Thu 5 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
It is likely to turn more unsettled with outbreaks of rain spreading east. Southerly gales on the tops. 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.