Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for unsettled weather. Moderate confidence for exact details on Saturday into Sunday.
This evening forecast
A band of rain will spread east through the evening, heavy at times. Increasingly poor visibilities and widespread cloud down to 500-700m across the area. Strong southerly winds with gusts 30-40mph or so. Feeling bitterly cold.
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.
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.
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
Bright spells and showers, wintry later. Cold. Strong 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) |
80% | 80% | 60% | 70% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
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 |
S
46
|
SW
50
|
SW
39
|
W
33
|
W
26
|
W
28
|
W
29
|
W
29
|
| 600m |
S
35
|
SW
35
|
SW
32
|
W
29
|
W
23
|
W
24
|
W
21
|
W
22
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
12
|
SW
12
|
W
10
|
W
11
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
| Valley |
S
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
11
|
W
10
|
W
12
|
W
8
|
W
6
|
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 | 54 | 59 | 48 | 41 | 34 | 36 | 35 | 35 |
| 600m | 46 | 46 | 42 | 37 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 32 |
| 300m | 32 | 34 | 32 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 23 |
| Valley | 31 | 33 | 32 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,800m
|
1,500m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
700m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gusts of 40-50mph at first will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance. Navigation will be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised.
Weather
More persistent area of cloud and rain will clear east around dawn. Then clear spells and a few showers at first, becoming more persistent for a time around lunchtime. Bright spells and showers feed in from the west through the afternoon with strong gusty winds at times, these showers gradually turning wintry at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chances in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Quite widespread cloud down to 400-600m and poor visibilities in the early morning and for a time around midday. Otherwise clear summits and good air clarity between showers, though cloud falling to around summit height and visibilities rapidly falling poor as snow showers pass through.
Ground conditions
Fell Top Assessor's Report Thursday 2 April. Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:30. Full report: Sunny, Frost in Shade. An excellent day on Helvellyn on Thursday, with blue skies and light winds. A marked contrast is expected overnight, with rain moving in and snow forecast for the highest summits, bringing very different conditions for Good Friday. Dry paths and rock were the dominant theme across most of the Lake District National Park. While Scafell Pike remained under cloud, elsewhere enjoyed good visibility, sunshine and light winds. Frost lingered into the afternoon in shaded areas on Striding and Swirral Edges, requiring some care, although south-facing rock was dry. A few old snow patches remain around the exits of both edges but can be avoided. Elsewhere, any remaining snow is confined to thin, broken strips running from the summit down the east face of Helvellyn. Despite light winds and positive air temperatures, wind chill values still dipped below freezing. The forecast for the Easter weekend brings a notable change. Rain overnight into Friday is likely to turn to snow on the highest fells, reintroducing wintry conditions at altitude. Walkers should ensure they carry sufficient clothing, including warm layers, hat, gloves, full waterproofs and basic emergency equipment, in case conditions deteriorate or plans are cut short. Micro-spikes may prove useful. Stay safe and be prepared to turn back is conditions dictate it. https://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly dry in the early morning. Storm Dave will bring incredibly hazardous conditions from mid-morning onwards with gale-force winds even to moderate levels, with storm force gusts later. Cloud and rain for a time late morning and again in the evening, this heavy at times and wintry at first.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75% before dawn and mid-afternoon. Little to no chance mid-morning and again in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly veering westerly later, 50-60mph, chance of gusts to 70-80mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C rising to plus 4C.
- Valley Plus 3C rising to plus 11C by day.
- Freezing level 600m early morning and late evening, rising to 1600m through the middle of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally clear summits and good visibilities in the early hours, and again in the mid-afternoon. Widespread cloud down to 400-600m and poor visibilities spreading north through the late morning and again for a time in the evening.
Mountain weather information
Sun 5 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and a few snow showers. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level around 400m.
Mon 6 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry, variable cloud and bright spells. Cold, Freezing level around 600m, rising above summits later. Moderate to light winds.
Tue 7 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry start, rain later. Strengthening southerly winds. Freezing level well 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.