Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather patterns, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
This evening forecast
Overcast with periods of rain which occasionally turn heavy. Strong northerly summit winds developing, as freezing level lowers to 900m by midnight and the rain turns to snow across the highest peaks.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Periods of snow and rain, fading through the afternoon. Fresh to strong summit winds.
| 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) |
>95% | >95% | >95% | >95% | 60% | 20% | 10% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
N
16
|
NE
25
|
NE
23
|
NE
16
|
NE
11
|
NE
6
|
NE
6
|
E
6
|
| 600m |
N
15
|
NE
17
|
NE
16
|
N
12
|
NE
9
|
NE
5
|
NE
6
|
S
6
|
| 300m |
N
11
|
N
11
|
N
9
|
N
7
|
NE
6
|
NE
4
|
NE
3
|
SE
3
|
| Valley |
N
16
|
N
15
|
N
13
|
N
11
|
NE
9
|
NE
6
|
NE
5
|
S
2
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 24 | 32 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| 600m | 22 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| 300m | 20 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Valley | 28 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
500m
|
400m
|
500m
|
600m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Hazardous conditions through the morning with extensive hill fog and a severe wind chill effect.
Weather
Overcast overnight with periods of snow and rain, turning heavy at times with snow level lowering from 800m to 300m by dawn. Snow and rain quite persistent early morning with snow level 300m lifting 500m by noon. Outbreaks turning increasingly patchy during the afternoon, as the snow level lifts to 700m. Largely dry for the evening with occasional clear spells developing.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Less than 10% becoming 30% late afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud, which will be extensive from 500m through the morning, before lifting and breaking a little towards late afternoon.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 5 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 13:40 Full report: Another fine spring like day on the high summits of the Lake District. High pressure is currently dominating Cumbria's weather giving a fine day with light winds but limited views due to a thick haze. Even the seagulls have arrived back on the summit of Helvellyn! The fells are now almost totally snow free with the few remaining patches to be found on steep north through east facing slopes above 800m predominately in gullies and around corrie rims. The vast majority of popular routes including Striding and Swirral Edges are now clear or the hazard is easily avoided. The remaining isolated patches of snow are proving pretty resistant to the warmer temperatures and are granular and firm with the potential for serious slides. The long range weather forecast is pretty mixed but there is certainly the potential for more snow showers and challenging conditions so please continue to be Adventure Smart by checking the weather forecast and ensuring you have the correct equipment and skills for your planned adventure. Temperature: plus 7.3C, Maximum wind speed 18.5mph, Wind chill: minus 2.2C, Average wind speed: 16.0mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Largely dry by day with some bright and perhaps sunny spells developing, but a chance of patchy light rain feeding from the south during the evening. Moderate winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% by day
Maximum wind speed expected
South 15-20mph
Temperature
- At 800m Zero Celsius increasing 4 Celsius for the afternoon
- Valley Plus 1 Celsius increasing 10 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 800m at dawn, soon lifting above summits during the morning
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud, which occasionally lowers 600m by day.
Mountain weather information
Sun 8 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with some patchy light rain. Fresh winds. Freezing level above summits.
Mon 9 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional rain, though most of this should be light. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.
Tue 10 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional rain, turning heavier later in the day. Fresh to strong winds. Freezing level 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.