Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a fine but cold day Saturday but lower for timings for the arrival of overnight snow, clearance on Sunday and change to northerly winds Monday, but reasonably high for a drier conditions towards midweek.
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
Frosty, icy and sunny start but cloud gradually increases. Very cold
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 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 |
NW
5
|
W
7
|
W
7
|
W
10
|
S
11
|
S
18
|
| 300m |
SW
5
|
S
4
|
W
5
|
W
6
|
S
8
|
S
14
|
| Valley |
SE
0
|
SE
2
|
W
2
|
W
4
|
S
4
|
S
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 28 |
| 300m | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 23 |
| Valley | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
-3°
|
-2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
0m
|
0m
|
200m
|
300m
|
300m
|
200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
-5°
|
-4°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Cold at height despite the sunshine and light winds through daylight hours.
Weather
Starting frosty and icy at all levels. Dry this morning with almost unbroken sunshine, however the sunshine becomes hazier from midday as thin high cloud arrives. This afternoon and evening the cloud gradually thickens, with patchy light snow possibly reaching western areas towards midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
100% through daylight hours, but chances fall towards midnight.
Low cloud and visibility
No cloud expected below the summits through daylight hours, becoming occasional above 450-600m from the west towards midnight. Away from cloud, visibility generally excellent with good panoramic views of surrounding peaks.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3mm | 2.4mm | 26mm |
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
Cloud quickly lowers and snow arrives, this often turning heavy, leading to a risk of drifting snow and blizzard conditions at times, especially on the highest summits. After dawn the snow gradually turns to rain and then clears eastwards from mid-morning. Temporary dry conditions follow, before a band of heavy rain quickly moves east mid-afternoon. Broken cloud and scattered showers follow late afternoon and evening, these wintry on the highest peaks.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance through much of the morning improving to 75% for the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 20 to 25mph, gusts around 40mph over higher peaks, becoming westerly 15-20mph around midday.
Temperature
- At 600m Around minus 2 Celsius rising to around plus 1-2 Celsius
- Valley Around Zero Celsius rising to plus 6 or 7 Celsius by day
- Freezing level 300m or less rising above the summits
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above 450-600m, with patches below, through much of the morning becoming more occasional above 600-750m for the afternoon. Away from cloud, visibility just a few kilometres in rain and snow, but less than a kilometre in heavier snow and near zero in blizzards and drifting snow, becoming very good or excellent for the afternoon with temporary reductions in showers.
Mountain weather information
Mon 16 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and showers, wintery on highest peaks, dying out through the day as the fresh westerly wind turns more northerly. Freezing level above the summits, falling to 300m later.
Tue 17 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with sunny spells. Fresh northerly winds easing and backing more easterly. Freezing level 300m, rising to around 600m for a time.
Wed 18 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry start but probably becoming cloudy with spells of snow likely to arrive through the day. Strengthening easterly breeze. Freezing level possibly 300m or less.
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.