Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled and changeable start, but lowering for the detail later in the period.
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.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Showers or longer periods of snow and rain. Gale, perhaps initially storm force, summit winds. Freezing level lifting.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 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 |
S
37
|
S
25
|
S
27
|
SW
26
|
W
30
|
W
26
|
| 600m |
S
31
|
S
20
|
S
23
|
SW
21
|
W
21
|
W
21
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
S
4
|
S
5
|
SW
6
|
W
7
|
W
9
|
| Valley |
SE
2
|
E
2
|
S
5
|
SW
7
|
W
7
|
W
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 43 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 35 | 32 |
| 600m | 43 | 28 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 300m | 26 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
| Valley | 19 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
300m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-11°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-10°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds 10-15mph stronger than the speeds above across most exposed ridges and summits, with a risk of storms during the early hours. Very difficult conditions at height in extensive hill fog, driving snow, severe wind chill and strong to gale winds.
Weather
Overcast overnight with periods of snow that turn heavy at times, with blizzard conditions at height. A cloudy day with occasional snow and rain, generally light and patchy through the morning, turning heavier for the afternoon. Snow to low levels at dawn lifting to 600-700m from late morning. Frequent showers for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 14 February. Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:36: Temperature: minus 4 degC. Maximum wind speed 18.4mph. Wind chill: minus 12.8 degC. Average wind speed: 16.2mph. Full report: Blue skies, snow showers laterly. Snow now covers the width and breadth of the Lake District National Park, with a noticeably deeper cover across the eastern fells. A magnificent day greeted many love birds on Helvellyn this morning - blue skies above and mountains clothed in white giving a distinctly alpine feel. The freezing level extended from valley floor to summit, and with only light winds there has been little redistribution of the most recent snowfall. The snow remains light and dry. Above 800m, this fresh layer sits on a firm old snow base, with remnants of earlier drifting still evident. Interestingly, no cornices have formed above Red Tarn, and older overhangs appear rounded or diminished. There are steeper banks of snow overlooking Brown Cove (East). While it is common for one aspect to hold more snow than another, today snow is present on all aspects. The deepest accumulations and more continuous cover are found on south-west through west to north-west facing slopes, where drifting has produced fuller snowfields. On Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, any exposed rock is now plastered with snow and ice. Tracks are becoming compacted under the passage of crampons and micro-spikes. Anyone venturing onto steep or exposed ground should be properly equipped. Even a short slip has the potential to accelerate rapidly into an uncontrolled slide, with severe consequences. Crampons or micro-spikes at least are essential, and an ice axe is invaluable for balance, hooking rock, or daggering into firm snow, ice, or frozen turf. The fells are now in full winter plumage and demand appropriate respect. Full winter kit is required: multiple insulating layers, hat and gloves, and waterproof jacket and trousers to combat wind chill, which - despite only moderate wind speeds - felt as low as -12°C today. While stiff boots may assist in step-kicking, crampons or at the very least micro-spikes, are a far safer choice. Sunday's forecast suggests a return to blizzard conditions, which will make travel arduous. Goggles will be necessary in driving snow, and strong navigational skills will be essential in severely reduced visibility.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy by day with frequent showers, these wintry above around 600m. Fresh to strong summit winds, bringing a further severe wind chill at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%
Maximum wind speed expected
West to northwest 20-30mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across most exposed ridges and summits
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius increasing 7 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 700-800m
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite frequently lowering 700m.
Mountain weather information
Tue 17 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Looking set to be the best day's weather of the forecast period with all expected to stay dry and see plenty of winter sunshine coupled with relatively light winds. Cold however with freezing level around 300m.
Wed 18 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Generally dry with some brighter spells, but strong to gale easterly summit winds bringing a severe wind chill down to mid-levels as the freezing level stays around 300m. Also an increasing chance of some snow feeding from the south later in the day.
Thu 19 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and occasionally bright. Freezing level lifting to around 500m. Fresh to strong easterly 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.