Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for approaching frontal system and changeable conditions, lower confidence in details.
This evening forecast
Variable amounts of cloud and scattered sleet, snow or hail showers through early evening, clearing quickly overnight with clear skies by midnight.
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.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
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
Generally dry and bright for much of the day, rain and drizzle affecting the region towards the end of the day, light winds strengthening by evening.
| 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) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | <05% | 40% | 60% | 60% |
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 |
N
19
|
N
19
|
NW
21
|
NW
17
|
W
17
|
W
16
|
SW
17
|
SW
22
|
| 600m |
NW
12
|
NW
11
|
NW
11
|
NW
12
|
W
16
|
W
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
20
|
| 300m |
NW
4
|
NW
4
|
NW
3
|
NW
6
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
SW
6
|
S
9
|
| Valley |
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
NW
3
|
NW
6
|
W
9
|
W
10
|
SW
8
|
SW
10
|
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 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 28 |
| 600m | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 28 |
| 300m | 17 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 |
| Valley | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 20 |
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°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
200m
|
100m
|
300m
|
500m
|
600m
|
700m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-11°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
| 600m |
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
The best conditions will be early in the day with light winds and generally cloud free summits, though will still be remaining cold.
Weather
Dry and bright for the morning, but clouding over by midday as a frontal system approaches from the west. A little light and patchy rain and summit snow possible later in the afternoon and becoming occasionally heavy by the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% to begin, falling to 60% by midday and down to 20% by the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Very good visibility and air clarity for much of the day with a few patches of summit cloud above 900 metres. Low cloud will become more extensive later in the evening, lowering to 500 to 800 metres.
Ground conditions
Date: Wednesday 25 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:15 Full report: Despite a challenging forecast conditions on Helvellyn this morning were very wintery but comfortable for those with the correct equipment and clothing. Overnight snow had settled down to 500m and there were regular exfoliating squalls of hail driven in a strong NW wind.. Conditions continued to change rapidly with areas of sunshine inter spaced with heavy snow showers. The wind was redistributing the snow and cornices were beginning to build above the east face of Helvellyn. Goggles were useful to protect the eyes from wind driven snow, graupel and hail. Above 850m the saturated ground had icied over and conditions underfoot were very slippery. Microspikes are currently strongly recommended for anyone venturing above the snow line on even the 'easiest' paths. Striding and Swirral Edge both have a thin layer of snow and ice and crampons / microspikes will be essential for a safe ascent or descent. There are still a few patches of old snow or neve above 850m on steep north through east aspects, in gullies and around corrie rims which are now frozen hard and hidden below the new snow. The patch that may present the highest risk is to be found on climbers right of the exit slopes to Swirral Edge. The consequences of a slip here could be very severe so please take extra care and ensure you are suitably equipped. The sudden but forecast return to full winter conditions on the high lake District fells caught a number of walkers out today. Please Be Adventure Smart and check the weather forecast and ensure you have the correct clothing, equipment and skills for your planned adventure. Temperature: minus 2.6C, Maximum wind speed 39.0mph, Wind chill: minus 14.0C, Average wind speed: 28.8mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with rain at first. Then the rest of the day will be bright with showers, wintry on the higher tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Initially <5% rising quickly to 60% in showery regime.
Maximum wind speed expected
Means of 15mph and gusts of 25mph as the front moves through, easing briefly in the morning before picking up again into the afternoon with heavy showers, means of up to 20mph and gusts up to 45mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3-4 Celsius
- Valley Plus 1 rising plus 11 Celsius
- Freezing level Initially above peaks falling to 1000m by midday and down to 800m by the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Initially cloud to 300m, lower in western upslopes, rising quickly as frontal feature runs through, to scattered cloud with falling to 700m at times.
Mountain weather information
Sat 28 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Variable cloud cover and the chance of a few sleet or snow showers, but some drier weather too. Freezing level 600m, strong westerly winds with isolated gales.
Sun 29 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
After a dry start rain will soon spread from the west. Windy with southwesterly summit gales. Freezing levels rising above summits for a time, before falling later to 800m.
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showery conditions with a chance of sleet or snow, remaining windy.
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.