Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for largely unsettled conditions to continue but lower confidence on extent and timing of rain and strong winds from Friday onwards.
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.
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
Rain followed by wintry showers. Strong winds at times.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | >95% | 40% | 70% | 30% | 30% |
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
24
|
SW
28
|
W
27
|
W
29
|
W
33
|
W
29
|
| 600m |
SW
18
|
SW
22
|
W
24
|
W
25
|
W
24
|
W
21
|
| 300m |
S
6
|
SW
9
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
| Valley |
SW
3
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
W
12
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 28 | 34 | 34 | 37 | 40 | 35 |
| 600m | 22 | 28 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 29 |
| 300m | 20 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 24 |
| Valley | 12 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,300m
|
2,100m
|
1,100m
|
800m
|
700m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-5°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong winds may make for slow progress, especially on higher routes. Feeling cold, especially later.
Weather
Becoming cloudy through the morning with outbreaks of rain. Bright and sunny spells developing in the afternoon with a few blustery showers, which may be heavy and wintry on the summits. Becoming drier in the evening. Feeling cold on higher routes and to lower levels later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
No chance early morning, improving to 90% by the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base 300-500m through the morning but cloud lifting and breaking towards the afternoon. In the afternoon generally no low cloud but bases may fall to 700m at times in passing heavy showers. Visibility poor in cloud and rain or showers, otherwise good.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A dry start with some clear then sunny spells. Cloudy in the afternoon and evening with outbreaks of mostly light rain. Fresh southwesterly winds becoming southeastelry and strengthening later. Feeling cold on higher routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 10mph gusting 15-20mph becoming southeast 20-25mph gusting 30-35mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1C rising to plus 2C later.
- Valley Plus 3C rising to 8C later.
- Freezing level 500m rising above summits later.
Low cloud and visibility
Little in the way of low cloud through the day with isolated patches of 800-1000m cloud base possible. Visibility good.
Mountain weather information
Sat 11 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain clearing to largely dry conditions with sunny spells and the odd shower. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 800m.
Sun 12 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright or sunny spells and showers. Fresh to strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level 700m, rising above summits.
Mon 13 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another day of bright or sunny spells and showers. Moderate to fresh winds. Freezing level above summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.