Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high confidence in the evolution. High confidence for hazardous conditions on Saturday.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry, bright first thing then some rain preceded by summit snow. Very strong winds later. Stormy evening, showers turning wintry.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | 50% | 50% | 60% | 40% | 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 |
SW
15
|
S
20
|
SE
46
|
S
50
|
S
61
|
SW
68
|
| 600m |
S
11
|
S
18
|
SE
36
|
S
37
|
S
47
|
SW
55
|
| 300m |
SW
2
|
S
9
|
S
10
|
S
15
|
S
18
|
SW
23
|
| Valley |
SW
1
|
S
8
|
SE
9
|
S
15
|
S
19
|
SW
26
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 17 | 25 | 56 | 61 | 75 | 85 |
| 600m | 14 | 23 | 50 | 50 | 63 | 74 |
| 300m | 14 | 20 | 34 | 41 | 50 | 59 |
| Valley | 11 | 17 | 29 | 37 | 48 | 59 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
600m
|
600m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
5°
|
4°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strengthening winds to all levels through the day will mean any mobility will be almost impossible on exposed ground with a risk of being blown off your feet. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised.
Weather
A dry start, bright but with thickening high cloud. Cloud thickening through the morning with some rain and summit snow from mid morning. Occasional rain in the afternoon, briefly heavy, becoming heavier for a time this evening then turning showery and reverting to snow above 500-600m. Winds strengthening with gales in the afternoon and storm force winds this evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% at first falling 30%
Low cloud and visibility
Summits clear for much of morning with good visibility, then cloud lowering to 700-900m with some lower patches at times, visibility reducing to moderate at lower levels in rain, perhaps briefly poor,
Ground conditions
Fell Top Assessor's Report Friday 3 April. Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:55 Full report: Strong Winds, Driving Rain Atrocious conditions on the high fells for much of the day. Heavy, driving rain combined with strong winds made progress above around 700 m (Helvellyn 950 m) particularly challenging. Walkers were surprised to encounter fresh snowfall on Helvellyn, although this was melting quickly. Low cloud, coupled with winds accelerating over ridges, around shoulders and through cols, led to powerful buffeting that made walking both difficult and tiring. The sharp contrast to Thursday's spring-like conditions caught many out, with some parties wisely turning back early rather than risk navigating in poor visibility or getting very cold. Wind chill remained below freezing, despite relatively mild air temperatures. Fresh snow has drifted into the upper section of Swirral Edge, with older patches still present at the top of Striding Edge. In isolation these are manageable, but when combined with strong winds and driving rain, maintaining a secure line requires care and good footing. Easter Saturday is expected to bring similarly challenging conditions, with blizzard conditions on higher ground in the morning turning to further driving rain, alongside strengthening winds. These will make for difficult walking conditions throughout the day. It is strongly advised to carry full waterproofs (jacket and trousers), along with warm layers, hat and gloves. Accurate navigation with map and compass is essential in poor visibility. Ensure you have sufficient food and fluids to maintain energy levels, and carry basic emergency equipment to remain self-reliant if plans need to change. Temperature: plus 5.2C. Maximum wind speed: 34.8mph. Wind chill: minus -2.2C. Average wind speed: 22.4mph.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Storm-force winds associated with Storm Dave will ease through the early hours. From dawn bright spells and scattered showers through the rest of the day, these wintry above 500m or so. Showers heavy at times with a small risk of hail and becoming quite frequent for a time in the middle of the day with gusts to gale-force possible. Showers more isolated through the evening. Feeling bitterly cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 75%, falling to 50% for a time around the middle of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 60-70mph early hours, perhaps 80-90mph. Westerly 25-35mph, gusting 35-50mph during daylight
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C to 0C.
- Valley Plus 4C rising to plus 7C by day.
- Freezing level 600-800m.
Low cloud and visibility
Often clear summits and good visibilities. Cloud down to around summit height and visibilities rapidly falling poor as showers pass through, most frequent around the middle of the day.
Mountain weather information
Mon 6 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with bright spells and variable cloud. Light winds. Freezing level rising above summits.
Tue 7 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with bright spells and variable cloud. Fresh to strong southerly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 8 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry interludes and spells of rain at times. Fresh to strong southerly winds.
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.