Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for southeast flow persisting also for relatively unsettled from Wednesday, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry by day with some bright spells. Summit gales from afternoon.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SE
37
|
SE
38
|
SE
44
|
SE
49
|
SE
52
|
SE
46
|
| 600m |
SE
26
|
SE
29
|
SE
34
|
SE
35
|
SE
39
|
SE
33
|
| 300m |
SE
10
|
SE
12
|
SE
15
|
SE
14
|
SE
18
|
SE
16
|
| Valley |
SE
8
|
SE
9
|
SE
13
|
SE
11
|
SE
15
|
SE
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 43 | 44 | 54 | 60 | 63 | 56 |
| 600m | 33 | 37 | 45 | 46 | 52 | 44 |
| 300m | 30 | 32 | 39 | 41 | 48 | 42 |
| Valley | 26 | 28 | 34 | 34 | 41 | 36 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Severe wind chill effect reaching down to mid-levels.
Weather
Hill fog and occasional rain at first, turning largely dry by dawn as the cloud becomes more broken. Largely dry by day with occasional brighter spells appearing. Cloud gradually thickening from the west through the evening bringing occasional rain towards late evening, wintry across highest peaks.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60-70% by day.
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases lowering 800m at times.
Ground conditions
Date: Monday 19 January Location: Helvellyn summit at 10:07 Full report: Ice, variable visibility. Very still conditions at lower levels were reflected by the calm waters of Rydal, Grasmere and Thirlmere. Below 700m, conditions on the Lake District fells are largely three-season, but significant snow patches remain above this height despite the weekend thaw. Where snow has been trampled on paths and tracks, it has refrozen into hard ice and requires care, though most icy sections can be skirted. A layered cloud profile existed from valley floor to summit, with brief sunny spells as a cloud inversion hovered around 1000m. Despite positive air temperatures at around 950m this morning, remaining snow and ice had refrozen above 700m, creating firm underfoot conditions where snow persisted. On Helvellyn, the path from Swirls car park to the summit holds a steep snow patch at around 700m. Weekend walkers have either tackled this directly on a 35° slope or deviated significantly around it. Micro-spikes proved useful, particularly on the descent, though care is needed if skirting and relocating the main path in poor visibility. North through east-facing slopes hold the most remaining snow, and although cornices have refrozen, they remain unstable and should be avoided despite the attraction to glance over. Striding Edge still carries some snow, but the largest accumulation lies on the upper access and exit of Swirral Edge, where a polished slide has developed. Here, crampons offered better security than micro-spikes, with an ice axe helpful for more security. A deteriorating forecast for Tuesday with rain, stronger winds and temperatures above summit level means changing winter conditions should be expected and appropriate clothing and kit taken on the fells i.e. full waterproofs, hats, gloves and warm layers. Temperature: plus 1degC, Maximum wind speed 16.4mph, Wind chill: minus 5.8degC, Average wind speed: 14.1mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Best chance of drier, brighter conditions expected early to mid-morning, on a rather cloudy day with occasional rain, heavy at times and wintry across highest peaks. Gale to severe gale southeast summit winds bringing severe wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% becoming 10-20% from mid-morning
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast mean 35-45mph with gusts reaching 55-65mph across exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1-2 Celsius
- Valley Plus 4 Celsius increasing 9 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 900-1000m
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases becoming quite extensive from 600m from mid-morning with patches lower down for the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Thu 22 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dull with rain, most of this light. Strong to gale southeast summit winds bringing a severe wind chill to most. Freezing level above all summits.
Fri 23 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Occasional rain, snow at times across highest peaks, but also some drier brighter conditions about, chiefly around the middle of the day. Strong southeast summit winds bringing a severe wind chill here. Freezing level above all summits.
Sat 24 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly cloudy with some patchy light rain and summit snow. Light easterly winds.
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.