Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for mainly dry on Thursday, then the arrival of rain or snow later. High confidence in general unsettled weather, but low confidence in the timings of spells of prolonged rain and strength of winds over the weekend.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
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.
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.
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
A largely dry and fine day, though rain and hill snow arrives later. Light southwesterly winds becoming breezy later.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 50% | 90% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
NE
9
|
SW
7
|
SW
11
|
SW
16
|
S
23
|
S
33
|
| 600m |
N
6
|
SW
5
|
SW
12
|
SW
16
|
SW
20
|
S
28
|
| 300m |
N
1
|
S
2
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
S
9
|
S
11
|
| Valley |
NE
3
|
S
3
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
S
7
|
S
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 10 | 9 | 15 | 21 | 29 | 41 |
| 600m | 9 | 7 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 37 |
| 300m | 7 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 29 |
| Valley | 9 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 24 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
700m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Fine and bright for most of the day, though turning wet and snowy later, navigation will be difficult in poor visibility.
Weather
A cold start then a bright day with variable amounts of cloud. Becoming cloudy with rain and hill snow arriving from the west during the evening. Light winds. Freezing level 400-600m at first, rising to 800m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
100% for most of the day, lowering to 0-10% through the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
No low cloud and excellent visibility for most of the day, this reducing through the evening with cloud becoming extensive above 600m.
Ground conditions
Date: Wednesday 1 April Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:00, Temperature: plus 4.5C, Maximum wind speed 25mph, Wind chill: minus 1.2C. Average wind speed: 20.4mph. Full report: Sunny, Stiff Breeze Generally clear spring conditions across the Lake District National Park today. Views were good in most directions, although the Scafells sat under cloud through the middle of the day. Elsewhere, visibility was very good with cloud bases above the summits and a pleasant mix of blue sky and scattered cumulus (puffy, cotton wool clouds). In the sunshine it felt mild, with some welcome warmth. Dry conditions held through the afternoon despite earlier forecasts suggesting rain. This now looks likely to be pushed back into Wednesday evening, if it arrives at all. Thursday is expected to improve further, with sunshine through the morning and into the afternoon, bringing the likelihood of dry rock and very pleasant walking conditions. Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are now largely free of snow, with only a few stubborn patches around their upper exits. These can be avoided, though care is still needed gaining the plateau from Striding Edge. Elsewhere, decorative snow lingers along the high rims of Helvellyn's coves and is best admired from a distance. A noticeable stiff breeze reduced the effect of the positive air temperature, making it feel closer to freezing. Despite the sunshine, it remains early spring on the high fells. Appropriate clothing is still essential, including warm layers, hat, gloves and at least a windproof, along with additional safety kit should conditions change.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Persistent rain turning to scattered showers through the late morning. Showers perhaps falling as snow later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10-20% at first, becoming 90% through the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 35-40 mph, becoming light westerlies with isolated 35 mph gust near showers.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1C rising to 3C.
- Valley Plus 4C rising to 9C.
- Freezing level Above summits, falling to 600m through the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases above 200m at first, rising to above summit level by the afternoon. Visibility then mainly good, but cloud falling at times to 700m in showers.
Mountain weather information
Sat 4 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A fine and dry start, then rain and hill snow arrives through the late morning, with showers and perhaps longer spells of heavy rain following. Light becoming gale-force southwesterly winds through the afternoon. Freezing level 500m at first, rising to above summits.
Sun 5 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A largely fine and dry start, with scattered wintry showers feeding in from the west during the afternoon. Gale-force westerlies easing, though gusty in showers. Freezing level 600-800m.
Mon 6 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Fine and dry to start, with rain arriving through the evening. Generally light southerlies. Freezing level 800m, rising to above summits.
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.