Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Confidence is high for more settled conditions towards the middle of the week but uncertainties around cloud amounts at times with some persistent cloud possible on Wednesday and Thursday which may limit the sunshine in the area. High confidence for milder conditions with light winds for a time.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
Southwesterly gales, mostly cloudy with some patchy drizzle, a few brighter spells developing later, feeling milder than recent days.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 40% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SW
50
|
S
48
|
S
45
|
SW
43
|
SW
44
|
S
39
|
| 600m |
SW
42
|
SW
38
|
S
38
|
SW
37
|
SW
34
|
S
32
|
| 300m |
S
15
|
S
16
|
S
17
|
S
16
|
S
14
|
S
14
|
| Valley |
SW
13
|
S
12
|
S
16
|
S
15
|
SW
13
|
S
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 59 | 57 | 56 | 54 | 54 | 49 |
| 600m | 54 | 49 | 51 | 49 | 47 | 44 |
| 300m | 41 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 36 | 33 |
| Valley | 35 | 35 | 36 | 34 | 31 | 30 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
1,700m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
1,600m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Notice freezing levels rising as milder air moves across the area with any snow starting to melt. Still chilly on the summits with gales on the fell tops.
Weather
Strong winds throughout the day and mostly cloudy through the morning, periods of patchy drizzle or light rain are likely, especially around southwestern fell tops, perhaps remaining dry further east. A moderate chance of cloud breaking in the east during the afternoon with some bright or sunny spells developing. Out of the wind it will feel quite mild compared with recent days.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% improving to 80% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of broken low cloud are likely in the morning with bases around 200m, cloud will thin and lift during the morning but will be quite persistent in the southwest. During the afternoon cloud will be scattered with bases around 500m, cloud perhaps turning patchy in the east with some good breaks here by late afternoon. Visibility may turn poor in drizzle at times but otherwise will be mostly moderate or good.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy at times but mostly dry, light winds and feeling mild for mid March. Some uncertainty in cloud amounts on Wednesday but a good chance of bright or sunny spells during the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% improving to 95%
Maximum wind speed expected
Variable in direction, mostly northerly 10mph or less.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 rising to 11 Celsius,
- Valley Plus 7 rising to 16 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above all summits
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy low cloud near summits at the start of the day, cloud lifting and clearing with sunny spells in the afternoon. Visibility will be good or very good for most of the day.
Mountain weather information
Thu 19 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly settled conditions on Thursday, perhaps some persistent cloud lingering but otherwise bright or sunny spells and feeling warm for March with light winds.
Fri 20 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
The settled conditions persisting into the end of the week with some bright and sunny spells but cloudy at times too. Light southerly winds and remaining mild.
Sat 21 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some uncertainty towards the weekend whether settled conditions will persist but a good chance of some bright conditions continuing with light winds and mostly dry. Feeling a little cooler again.
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.