Mountain weather

Lake District Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather patterns through Tuesday then for high pressure extending from the northeast thereafter, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

This evening forecast

A few scattered wintry showers mixed with clear spells. Strong summit winds. Freezing level 400-500m.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.
hazard 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.

hazard 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.

Mountain weather forecast

Showers merging to longer periods of rain from late morning. Strong to gale winds.

Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Light snow shower (night) Light snow shower (night) Light snow shower (day) Cloudy Sleet Heavy rain Light rain Light rain
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
30% 30% 50% 20% 80% 90% 80% 40%

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 W
34
W
33
W
34
SW
35
SW
34
SW
36
SW
41
SW
40
600m W
28
W
26
W
27
SW
30
SW
30
SW
29
SW
30
SW
29
300m W
12
W
10
W
11
SW
13
SW
14
SW
12
SW
11
SW
12
Valley W
13
W
12
W
13
SW
15
SW
15
SW
13
SW
13
SW
14
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 42 41 42 45 43 45 51 49
600m 38 35 36 40 40 39 41 40
300m 30 30 30 32 33 31 33 33
Valley 30 29 31 32 31 28 32 31

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m
-3°
-3°
-2°
-1°
600m
300m
Valley
Freezing Level
500m
500m
600m
700m
900m
1,300m
1,800m
1,700m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m
-12°
-12°
-11°
-10°
-8°
-6°
-4°
-4°
600m
-8°
-8°
-7°
-6°
-4°
-3°
-1°
-1°
300m
-2°
-2°
-1°
Valley

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Potentially hazardous conditions in extensive hill fog, driving rain and a severe wind chill at height late morning through to late afternoon. Gales across more exposed ridges and summits.

Weather

Beginning with limited brighter spells and some scattered showers, these wintry above 400m. Cloud thickening from the west to bring periods of rain from late morning, turning heavier early to mid-afternoon, before becoming patchy and light for the late afternoon and evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

60% at dawn becoming 10% or less from mid-day

Low cloud and visibility

Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain and showers, very poor in early snow showers and within cloud, which becomes extensive from 500m from late morning

Ground conditions

Date: Sunday 15 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:15 Full report: A very different day on the Lake District fells after yesterdays glorious conditions. Heavy rain, gale force winds and limited visibility meant that there were a lot less people enjoying the fells today. There is a surprising amount of snow remaining on north through east aspects above approximately 700m. Other aspects are a lot barer but there are still large patches of unavoidable snow and wet ice on easier routes including the popular Swirls path. Swirral Edge is in full winter condition requiring mountaineering skills and equipment for a safe ascent or descent. The cornices (snow overhangs) above steep north through east aspects were soft and thawing today creating a hazard for walkers if they venture too close. Yesterdays views suggested there is less snow on the Central Fells including Scafell Pike and Great Gable. The recent snow has fallen on unfrozen ground and despite their wintery appearance the Helvellyn and Brown Cove gullies are not in condition. Please read the BMC White Guide and make good decisions about protecting the very rare alpine plants which eke out an existence on these cliffs. The snow was soft and thawing at all levels today but the forecast drop in temperature this afternoon and overnight will quickly refreeze it forming neve (snow ice) on which crampons and an ice axe will be essential for safe movement. There is a potential for long uncontrolled slides which tend to run out into boulders if a simple slip is not quickly arrested. Carrying microspikes is recommended for all routes that may encounter snow while an ice axe and crampons are required for any adventures on steeper and more exposed terrain including Striding and Swirral Edges. Temperature: plus 2.4C, Maximum wind speed 56.3mph, Wind chill: minus 7.5C, Average wind speed: 34.6mph

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Cloudy with patchy rain and summit gales. Freezing level above summits.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

10-20%

Maximum wind speed expected

South or southwest mean 30-40mph, with gusts reaching 60mph across more exposed ridges and summits.

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 4 Celsius
  • Valley Plus 7 Celsius increasing 13 Celsius for the afternoon
  • Freezing level Above summits

Low cloud and visibility

Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud, which will be quite extensive from 500m.

Mountain weather information

Wed 18 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mainly dry with brighter spells increasing into the afternoon. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.

Thu 19 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mainly dry with brighter spells increasing into the afternoon. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.

Fri 20 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dry with bright and sunny spells. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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