Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in the unsettled weather, lower confidence in rainfall totals over the coming week.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Overcast with outbreaks of rain and drizzle and strong winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | 60% | 70% | 60% | 30% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
22
|
SW
23
|
SW
29
|
SW
29
|
SW
27
|
SW
25
|
| 300m |
SW
14
|
SW
17
|
SW
21
|
SW
23
|
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
| Valley |
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
SW
15
|
SW
12
|
SW
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 27 | 29 | 36 | 38 | 35 | 33 |
| 300m | 22 | 21 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 28 |
| Valley | 21 | 19 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
10°
|
11°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
17°
|
17°
|
16°
|
| Valley |
12°
|
14°
|
17°
|
18°
|
17°
|
16°
|
| Freezing Level |
3,300m
|
3,200m
|
3,200m
|
3,100m
|
2,800m
|
3,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
6°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
13°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A challenging day for hill navigation, with widespread poor to very poor visibility in the morning and strong, gusty winds on the summits. Conditions could easily lead to disorientation and losing track of footpaths.
Weather
Dry with variable cloud at first, before extensive low cloud, hill fog and patchy drizzle move in during the morning. During the late morning or early afternoon some heavier pulses of rain are possible. The best chance for any drier and clearer conditions will be in the eastern parts of the park, with rain and drizzle becoming increasingly confined to western slopes by the afternoon. Some brighter spells developing by the end of the day in southern regions of the Peak District. Strong winds are expected throughout, particularly across northern and western areas of the park and on exposed summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 60%, becoming less than 10% for a time in the morning as the rain and drizzle moves in.
Low cloud and visibility
Some clearer spells are likely during the early hours, but skies will quickly turn overcast across the park early in the morning. Cloud bases will widely shroud summits above 400-500?m, lowering further to 200-300?m in the west under any prolonged drizzle. Visibility will be moderate at best, but will widely deteriorate to poor or very poor in areas affected by cloud and drizzle. Bases are expected to lift later in the afternoon, in the south of the park, rising just above summit level, with some improvement in visibility in these areas.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 38.5mm | 53.3mm | 74.2mm |
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 unsettled day on the hills with overcast cloud, light rain and drizzle. Rain may turn heavy for a time on Friday morning, most likely in the northwest of the park. Best of any drier and brighter spells are expected in the south and east of the park. The strong winds easing by the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Less than 10%, improving to 60% in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly mean winds speeds 15-20mph with gusts 25-35mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 12 Celsius becoming Plus 17 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 16 Celsius becoming Plus 20 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate visibility at best, poor or very poor in hill fog, rain and cloud. Overcast cloud with bases obscuring hills above 400-500m, perhaps down to 200-300m on western upslopes and prolonged rain and drizzle. Lifting to above summits in the south.
Mountain weather information
Sat 20 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Unsettled with outbreaks of heavy rain. Moderate southeasterly winds becoming northeasterly.
Sun 21 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain clearing south to leave some drier and brighter spells. Feeling notably colder than of late. Moderate northerly winds.
Mon 22 Sep
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A fine day with sunny spells, feeling cool with moderate north-northeasterly winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.