Lake District

Ground conditions

Date: Sunday 5 April. Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:00: Temperature: minus 1.8 deg C. Maximum wind speed 30.9 mph. Wind chill: minus 11.5 deg C. Average wind speed: 27.6 mph. Full report: Fresh Snow. The latter part of Storm Dave moved through on Easter Sunday. The morning approach in the east of the National Park began with sleet before clearing to a largely fine morning, punctuated by occasional snow and hail showers. A strong westerly wind was felt across the fells for most of the day as the storm tracked away to the north-east. Despite an air temperature of -1.8°C on Helvellyn summit, the strength of the wind drove wind chill well into negative double figures, making it feel bitterly cold. Good visibility on the summit revealed fresh snowfall across the eastern fells, mixed with hail and graupel (snow pellets). This was being actively transported by the strong winds and deposited onto the east face of Helvellyn and along its edges. Sunny spells and the drying effect of the wind left much of the rock on Swirral Edge dry, providing good scrambling conditions where snow could be avoided by keeping to the sheltered eastern side. Some light verglas (thin ice) had formed where meltwater had refrozen, though this was generally easy to avoid. Ascents from the Thirlmere side proved more demanding, with winds accelerating upslope and causing sustained buffeting. Bank Holiday Monday - and the final day of fell top assessments for the 25/26 season - should see a slight improvement, with further sunshine possible and a modest easing of wind strength. However, wind chill will remain very cold, and full winter clothing is still required for safe travel on the high fells. Happy Easter break.