Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Chilly winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 80% | 50% | 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
31
|
S
24
|
S
22
|
S
23
|
S
22
|
SE
24
|
| 600m |
S
24
|
S
21
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
21
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
S
9
|
S
8
|
S
5
|
S
5
|
SE
7
|
| Valley |
S
9
|
S
8
|
S
6
|
S
4
|
SE
4
|
SE
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 36 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 |
| 600m | 32 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 29 |
| 300m | 23 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 |
| Valley | 23 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing further to add.
Weather
Outbreaks of rain and drizzle during the morning. The cloud lifting a breaking a little during the afternoon as the rain turns more showery, the best of any brightness across the Northern and Northwestern Fells. Rather cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% becoming 40% in the afternoon and evening, most likely in the north.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional or extensive low cloud, base 300 to 600m, lifting and breaking at times in the afternoon and evening, cloud near or above the summits at times, particularly in the north. Visibility moderate to very poor in cloud and rain, occasionally good through the afternoon and evening.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 7 February Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:00. Temperature: plus 1.5C. Maximum wind speed 20.3mph. Wind chill: minus 5.5C. Average wind speed: 14.6mph Full report: Saturday began with the high Lake District fells in full winter condition. Much of the snowpack froze overnight which helped consolidate the new snow and firmed up the large expanses of neve (snow ice). However as forecast the freezing level rose above the summits this morning resulting in a general thaw at all levels. The snowpack is now saturated throughout and the rime ice covering the rocks and snowpack above 800m is rapidly melting. Much of the slushy snow is overlying slightly firmer neve on which crampons were essential on steep or exposed terrain such as the Helvellyn Edges. There is also still a high risk of long slides which run out into boulders or scree fields so an ice axe should also be carried to help prevent a simple slip becoming something more serious. North through westerly aspects are still holding more snow due to the easterly winds that have affected the Lakes for the last 3 weeks. Walkers on the 'easier' Swirls path reported that microspikes were very useful from below Swirls Steep. Thaw conditions are expected to last for a few days apart from Sunday night when the freezing level will briefly drop below summit level This will rapidly refreeze the snow giving serious conditions for a period before thaw conditions return. Colder conditions are forecast to return from Thursday.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Lowering cloud and outbreaks of rain overnight. The cloud tending to lift during the day, but patchy rain or showers at times. A few brighter spells possible later, then mainly dry with some cloud breaks in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% rising to 60% during the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 15 to 20mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 or 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 4 to 8 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional or extensive low cloud, base 300 to 600m, lifting and breaking at times in the afternoon and evening, cloud near or above the summits at times, particularly in the north. Visibility moderate to very poor in cloud and rain, occasionally good through the afternoon and evening.
Mountain weather information
Tue 10 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Moderate to fresh southeast winds at height. Freezing level above the summits.
Wed 11 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Light or moderate south or southwest winds at height. Freezing level above the summits.
Thu 12 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with rain or showers, turning to snow over the summits later. Strengthening east or northeast winds later. Freezing level falling to around 600m later.
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.