Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium.
This evening forecast
Low cloud. Rain and drizzle. Moderate to fresh south or southwest winds at height.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Severe Chill Effect
Poor Visibility
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with rain and drizzle. Windy. Drier spells developing.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
90% | 80% | 70% | 70% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 50% |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SW
27
|
SW
39
|
SW
40
|
SW
40
|
S
38
|
S
36
|
S
36
|
S
36
|
| 600m |
SW
18
|
SW
31
|
SW
33
|
SW
34
|
S
33
|
S
31
|
S
28
|
S
29
|
| 300m |
SW
5
|
SW
12
|
SW
15
|
SW
15
|
S
17
|
S
15
|
S
11
|
S
12
|
| Valley |
SW
5
|
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
SW
14
|
S
15
|
S
12
|
S
9
|
S
13
|
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 32 | 48 | 50 | 50 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 46 |
| 600m | 25 | 42 | 46 | 47 | 45 | 43 | 39 | 41 |
| 300m | 20 | 33 | 36 | 36 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 32 |
| Valley | 14 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 28 |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,300m
|
1,800m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing further to add.
Weather
Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. However, the cloud gradually lifting during the day with drier spells and perhaps a little brightness at times.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% rising to 40% in the afternoon, best chance across the Northern and Far Eastern Fells.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud, base 200 to 400m, lifting to around 600m during the day, perhaps breaking in a few places. Visibility moderate to very poor in rain, drizzle and cloud, but good at times lower down.
Ground conditions
Date Monday 23 February. Location Helvellyn summit at 10:20. Temperature plus 1.4degC.Maximum wind speed 43.3mph. Wind chill minus 8.5degC. Average wind speed 39.5mphFull report: Thawing & Wet Conditions The disappointing thaw of good recent snow conditions continues across the Lakeland fells following the weekend. Little to no snow now remains below 800m, with Sunday's overnight rain continuing intermittently into Monday morning and accelerating the melt. While it is disheartening to see the fells stripped of what had been excellent winter conditions one offset was the becks, gills and streams running full. Current forecasts suggest the thawing pattern will persist through the week, with freezing levels remaining above the summits. On Helvellyn summit plateau, extensive areas of wet, saturated snow remain to be crossed, interspersed with increasingly large patches of exposed ground. Rock surfaces are thoroughly wet, with no firm ice bonded to them. The only ice encountered was along Swirral Edge and likely also on Striding Edge where well-trodden lines of compacted snow have hardened. These sections are broken by rocky or gravel stretches, with ice often lining the margins. The final 100m of ascent to the summit contains the most sustained snow and ice. Micro spikes were necessary in several places. Although sections of snow or ice rarely exceed about 5m in length, a slip on this terrain could have severe consequences dropping over cliffs. An ice axe for balance or step-cutting would be advantageous if not a walking pole is recommended. One notable winter feature that persists especially on north-facing aspects is the presence of cornices. These overhanging snow formations are now heavily saturated, visibly sagging, and should be given a wide berth despite their attractiveness. They are not weight-bearing and can fracture unexpectedly, often well back from the true cliff edge. Visibility remains poor under mild, cloudy conditions, making accurate navigation essential to avoid disorientation. Reliance on a mobile phone alone presents additional challenges: wet screens, automatic screen lock/time-out, and reduced battery performance in cold, damp conditions. A waterproof case or at least a sealed plastic bag is strongly advised. Despite the limited remaining snow cover, hazards persist on the high fells. Strong winds produce wind-chill values that feel well below freezing so dress for winter conditions and take emergency kit if you have to halt for any reason. This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with showers or longer outbreaks of rain, the rain heavy at times.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southwest 20 to 30mph, gusting 40mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 Celsius
- Valley Plus 6 to 12 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud, base 300 to 600m. Visibility moderate to very poor in cloud and rain, but good at times low down.
Mountain weather information
Thu 26 Feb
Cloudy with showers or longer outbreaks of rain. Strong southwest winds at height. Freezing level above the summits.
Fri 27 Feb
Heavy rain soon clearing to showers. The showers turning wintry with the snow level down to around 600m be the end of the day. Strong to gale force west or southwest winds at height with a severe wind chill.
Sat 28 Feb
Wintry showers soon dying out. Then rain and summit snow developing during the afternoon and evening with strong to gale force southerly winds developing. Freezing level around the summits.
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
The Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.