Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Cool conditions continuing on Thursday with snow accumulations likely on the hills, turning milder later on Friday with rain and strong winds expected at times over the weekend. Uncertainties in cloud and precipitation detail on Thursday and Friday.
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
Light snow showers through the morning, mostly cloudy but a few brighter spells in the afternoon, light southeasterly winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 30% | 30% | 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 |
E
40
|
E
30
|
E
18
|
SE
6
|
SW
7
|
SW
15
|
| 600m |
NE
17
|
NE
11
|
NE
7
|
SE
3
|
SW
6
|
SW
14
|
| 300m |
NE
1
|
NE
1
|
SE
1
|
SE
1
|
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
| Valley |
NE
3
|
NE
2
|
NE
1
|
SE
1
|
W
3
|
SW
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 45 | 34 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 19 |
| 600m | 21 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 19 |
| 300m | 17 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 14 |
| Valley | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
400m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-13°
|
-11°
|
-9°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong winds early in the morning will ease with winds veering to the southwest later in the day. Note the gradual lift in freezing level during the day.
Weather
A largely cloudy day with a few snow flurries overnight and through the morning period above 300m, becoming a bit brighter in the afternoon with a few sunny spells possible, likely to cloud over again into the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% improving to 70% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of broken or overcast cloud above 300m are expected in the morning associated with light snowfall, perhaps more scattered with a higher cloud base around northern fells cloud bases tending to lift towards 600m in the afternoon. Visibility will be moderate or poor at times in the morning around snow showers but improving good later in the day.
Ground conditions
Date: Wednesday 18 February Location: Lower Man summit (925m) at 12:15, Temperature: minus 4.1degC, Maximum wind speed 74.9mph, Wind chill: minus 16.5degC, Average wind speed: 55.3mph Full report: Storm force gusts Severe winds battered the high fells today, with winter conditions firmly established above 350m. Snow and ice dominate the terrain, and continued freezing temperatures into Thursday will preserve and further harden what is already a challenging snowpack. The force of the wind was evident immediately on leaving Greenside Mine to begin the ascent of Helvellyn. Compacted snow and ice are now a consistent feature of well-trodden paths across the district, interspersed with wind-blown drifts. Micro-spikes and on steeper terrain, crampons, significantly improve both safety and efficiency. Visibility remained good for much of the morning, with cloud racing across the highest summits. Travel on moderate terrain was relatively straightforward where firm snow prevailed. However, the cold, dry nature of the snow has allowed it to be transported into long, deep drifts, frequently stalling progress if needing to cross it.Striding Edge is reported to be fully snow covered and tracked out, with greater accumulations present on Swirral Edge. The banked and drifted snowpack on both Edges offered poor traction, even in crampons. The cold, dry snow has yet to consolidate or bond effectively. Step-ups frequently collapsed or slid back, front-pointing proved insecure, and micro-spikes would have offered little purchase in steeper sections. These are demanding winter mountaineering conditions. Wind speeds at height exceeded forecast values. Gusts accelerated from the south-east over cols and around shoulders, creating violent, destabilising blasts. Descending Lower Man, gusts reached storm force ferocity, estimated in excess of 80mph, making forward progress extremely difficult and, at times, nearly impossible. Winter conditions will persist into Thursday, with strong winds, snow and ice continuing to dominate the higher fells. Ensure you are fully equipped for serious winter conditions: appropriate spikes, ice axe on steep terrain, robust winter clothing, goggles, and the skills to use your equipment effectively. The fells are in full winter mode and the wind is adding a significant additional hazard.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A cloudy and wet start, falling as rain at all levels, perhaps sleet or snow at first on the highest summits. A drier afternoon with a few bright spells developing. The chance of a few heavy showers later in the afternoon, these may be heavy for a time but moving through quite quickly, perhaps some gusty winds near showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% improving to 70% in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 10-15 mph veering Southwesterly 20 mph gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 rising to 5 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 3 rising to 10 Celsius.
- Freezing level 1000m rising above all summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of broken cloud can be expected above 400m during the morning, becoming scattered above 600m in the afternoon, best chance of less cloud around northern fells. Visibility will be moderate or poor in the morning but becoming good in the afternoon, perhaps dipping moderate in showers at times.
Mountain weather information
Sat 21 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A cloudy and wet start, some heavier spells in the rain at times, feeling milder despite strong westerly winds, risk of summit gales.
Sun 22 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry day with a few brighter spells, risk of a shower during the day, blustery westerly winds and feeling cooler than Saturday.
Mon 23 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some mist and fog to start the day, likely to be some showers and turning colder, strong westerly winds, risk of summit gales.
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.