Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a severely cold spell for the Peak District for the first days of 2026, full winter conditions can be expected in the hills. Uncertainties in amount of wintry showers and strength of wind details for each day.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A very cold but generally dry day out on the hills, cloudy at times with some bright or sunny spells.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
NE
15
|
NE
9
|
NE
10
|
N
10
|
N
11
|
NE
10
|
| 300m |
NE
7
|
NE
6
|
NE
7
|
NE
6
|
NE
7
|
E
7
|
| Valley |
NE
4
|
NE
4
|
NE
5
|
N
4
|
N
6
|
NE
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 21 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
| 300m | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 |
| Valley | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
600m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
500m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
The main hazard on the hills will be the effects of the cold at height, with wind-chill expected on the summits. Prepare for very cold conditions.
Weather
A low risk of shower at first on Tuesday, but it will then be a dry day albeit quite cloudy to start, with some sunny spells developing through the morning. Feeling very cold with the sunshine adding very little warmth. A severe wind-chill is expected, feeling bitterly cold on the hill tops. Very cold overnight wind a sharp frost likely.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%, a few early morning patches of cloud.
Low cloud and visibility
Some low cloud down to 400-500m at first, quickly clearing above the summits in the morning. Visibility will be very good, perhaps dipping moderate in any morning mist or poor in any hill fog.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 0mm | 0mm |
Measurement date:
Rainfall data provided by the Environment Agency. The Met Office is not responsible for content provided by third parties and may remove this data without warning.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Another dry but cold day to end the year, with some sunny spells. Cloud building in the afternoon, with strong westerly winds resulting in wind-chill on the summits. Snow possible overnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 80%, though though some cloud forming around the tops in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 10-15 with gusts 20-25mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Minus 2 rising to Zero Celsius.
- Valley Plus 1 rising to Plus 3 Celsius.
- Freezing level 100-200m rising to 500-600m.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud mostly above the summits in the morning but patchy or scattered low cloud will form in the afternoon near fell tops, reducing visibility for a time.
Mountain weather information
Thu 1 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A bitterly cold day with strong northwesterly winds. Some showers are likely in the morning turning increasingly wintry on the higher summits but also some brighter spells. Freezing level 400-600m.
Fri 2 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining very cold with some bright or sunny spells and a severe wind chill in strong northwesterly winds. Freezing level 100-200m.
Sat 3 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Freezing conditions continue with severe wind-chill in the northerly winds. A risk of wintry showers again. Ground is expected to be frozen to all elevations.
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 Peak District is home to a wide variety of magnificent hills, moors, outcrops and gritstone edges.