Mountain weather

Peak District Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for changeable conditions gradually moving towards more settled conditions later in the period, but lower for timing of the arrival rain or showers.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.
hazard 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.
hazard Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
hazard 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

A breezy day with small chance of showers. Rain arriving by evening.

Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 600m)
Sunny intervals Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Light rain
Chance of precipitation
(at 600m)
10% 10% 20% 30% 40% 90%

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
26
SW
23
SW
20
SW
18
SW
13
SW
14
300m SW
20
SW
18
SW
17
SW
14
SW
10
S
10
Valley SW
11
SW
13
SW
12
SW
10
SW
7
S
6
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m 35 30 27 23 19 21
300m 29 25 23 19 17 18
Valley 27 24 23 19 17 18

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m
300m
11°
12°
11°
10°
Valley
10°
12°
13°
12°
10°
Freezing Level
1,200m
1,300m
1,400m
1,500m
1,600m
1,600m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m
300m
Valley
10°
11°
10°

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Warm waterproof layers will be essential, and be prepared for rather strong winds. UV levels will also increase in the midday sunshine.

Weather

Variable amounts of cloud with some clear then sunny intervals but also occasional showers moving through. Despite some warm sunshine by afternoon, it will be cold in the strong winds, especially at height, with noticeable wind chill effect. Outbreaks of rain, sometimes heavy arriving during the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

90% or more becoming 40% during the evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Cloud above summits for much of the day, lowering in evening rain with broken bases above 600m developing. Outside of cloud, visibility will be mostly good or very good, but lowering in passing showers and evening rain, and becoming poor or very poor in cloud.

Recent rainfall

Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
Last 24 hoursLast 48 hoursLast 72 hours
5.8mm10.3mm10.4mm
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.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Cloudy with occasional rain and some drizzle for most of the morning. Drier, brighter and showery weather arriving from the west through the afternoon, with drier conditions and sunny/clear spells in the evening. Strong southerly winds, becoming south-westerly post rain.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

40% in the morning becoming 90% or more from early to mid-afternoon onwards.

Maximum wind speed expected

South or Southwest with gusts across summits reaching 30-35mph.

Temperature

  • At 600m Plus 5 degrees Celsius rising to Plus 11 degrees Celsius.
  • Valley Plus 6 degrees Celsius rising to Plus 14 degrees Celsius.
  • Freezing level Above summits.

Low cloud and visibility

Broken to overcast bases 500m in the morning breaking and lifting above summits early to mid-afternoon. Visibility moderate or poor in morning rain and drizzle and very poor in cloud before then becoming mostly good mid-afternoon onwards.

Mountain weather information

Sat 18 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

A bright day with some sunshine and chance of a shower, perhaps heavy in the afternoon. Strong, cold westerly summit winds.

Sun 19 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Some low cloud covering summits in early hours with variable cloud and some bright or sunny spells. Winds easing light northwesterly.

Mon 20 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Probably another similar day to Sunday with winds becoming light north or northeasterly, and mostly dry weather with variable cloud amounts and some clear or sunny spells.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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