Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for fine, but bitterly cold day on Monday and for a change to more unsettled, slightly milder conditions through the middle of the week, but low from later Thursday due to uncertainties over the track of a potentially deep area of low pressure, currently expected to move east across the southern United Kingdom.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Largely dry and sunny. Bitterly cold, but winds easing
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
N
28
|
N
28
|
N
23
|
N
20
|
N
19
|
NW
16
|
| 600m |
NW
17
|
N
19
|
N
14
|
N
13
|
NW
13
|
NW
11
|
| 300m |
N
6
|
N
7
|
N
8
|
N
6
|
NW
4
|
NW
3
|
| Valley |
N
10
|
N
11
|
N
10
|
N
7
|
N
6
|
N
4
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 32 | 33 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 19 |
| 600m | 23 | 27 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
| 300m | 22 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 11 |
| Valley | 27 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
0m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-16°
|
-16°
|
-16°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-13°
|
| 600m |
-13°
|
-13°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
| 300m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| Valley |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Bitterly cold at despite the sunshine and easing winds with warm clothing essential. Surfaces frozen at all levels.
Weather
Dry and clear for most to end the night, but cloud over far eastern fells expected to increase towards dawn with the risk of a snow shower. Any snow showers over far eastern fells soon clearing then a dry day with almost unbroken winter sunshine, but it will remain very cold with frozen surfaces at all levels. Cloud above the summits will increase through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 75% until mid-morning in the far east, otherwise 100%
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud above 600m in the far east until mid-morning, otherwise no cloud expected below the summits. Away from any cloud visibility excellent with good panoramic views of surrounding lakes and fells, but around a kilometre in any snow showers in the far east until mid-morning.
Ground conditions
Date: Sunday 4 January Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:37 Full report: The weather and ground conditions on Helvellyn today remained consistent with the past few days, cold and clear with icy/frosted ground conditions underfoot, particularly above 750m. There is solid water ice on paths from valley level with some unavoidable stretches of ice on the Red Tarn approach, otherwise the paths are quite dry until above the Tarn, after this it becomes increasingly icy and frosted with the dusting of snow still in place, once on either of the classic edges I'd say micro-spikes are essential for safe and efficient progress, an axe may also be useful for additional support. The conditions will be consistent across all the high fells currently so prepare and plan accordingly. It also remains very cold in the wind so warm layers, hat and warm gloves are essential. A head-torch is also a good idea as the days are so short and with the paths having patches of ice to catch you out in the fading light. Great to see lots of people out today enjoying yet another day of amazing winter conditions on the fells! Temperature: minus 5.7C. Maximum wind speed 21.9mph. Wind chill: minus 15.3C. Average wind speed: 15.2mph.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloud continuing to increase overnight with outbreaks of snow spreading east, the snow gradually turning to sleet or rain below about 600m through the morning before becoming patchier through the middle of the day. More persistent rain, sleet and, above about 750m, snow will spread east through the late afternoon and early evening. Drier clearer conditions spread across the area by midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Close to zero in west but nearer 25% in east. Chances improve considerably in evening
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 15 increasing 20-25mph through the morning, turning northwesterly in the evening
Temperature
- At 800m Around minus 5 Celsius rising to Zero by early afternoon, falling back to minus 3 in evening
- Valley Around minus 2 Celsius through the early hours rising to plus 4 by day
- Freezing level Less than 300m, rising to around 900m for a time in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud developing above 450-600m by dawn, becoming more occasional at times above 600-750m in the east for a time through the middle of the day, cloud clearing from the northwest through the evening. Away from cloud visibility good falling to several kilometres in rain and sleet and around a kilometre in snow.
Mountain weather information
Wed 7 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with long clear or sunny spells but outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow spreading east in evening. Fresh northwesterly winds becoming more southwesterly for a time. Freezing level rising to 600-750m.
Thu 8 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overnight rain, sleet and snow clearing to leave sunny spells and, in the west, a few wintry showers. Westerly winds easing, turning southeasterly later. Freezing level round 600m.
Fri 9 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence, at present clear or sunny spells and occasional wintry showers expected with winds turning more northwesterly. However small risk of very windy conditions with heavy rain, sleet and snow.
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.