Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Peak District

Confidence

High for prevailing rather cold, unsettled weather conditions with sunshine but also sharp showers. Low for day-to-day shower detail and the possible drier interlude into the weekend.

Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

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.

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.
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.

Mountain weather forecast

Brightest in the middle of the day, with early cloud and rain. Some late thundery showers possible.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Dull Light rain Cloudy Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Heavy rain showers (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
20%
50%
30%
20%
10%
30%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
W 23mph knots
W
23mph
W 26mph knots
W
26mph
W 29mph knots
W
29mph
W 23mph knots
W
23mph
W 17mph knots
W
17mph
300m
300m SW 12mph knots
SW
12mph
W 18mph knots
W
18mph
W 21mph knots
W
21mph
NW 23mph knots
NW
23mph
W 18mph knots
W
18mph
SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
Valley
Valley SW 6mph knots
SW
6mph
W 12mph knots
W
12mph
W 17mph knots
W
17mph
NW 18mph knots
NW
18mph
W 14mph knots
W
14mph
W 6mph knots
W
6mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 21mph 28mph 33mph 37mph 30mph 23mph
300m
300m 15mph 23mph 29mph 32mph 25mph 20mph
Valley
Valley 13mph 22mph 30mph 33mph 26mph 17mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m -3 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 1 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 4 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1300m
1300m
1200m
1100m
1000m
1100m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Modest temperatures will feel still colder given the appreciable wind strength, even in valleys.

Weather

A dry but partly cloudy, and in most places frosty start. Cloud amounts will continue to increase from the northwest, bringing a risk of rain that may turn heavy for a time in the west especially. Becoming drier and brighter from the northwest into the afternoon, with some sunshine developing, although this may eventually be followed by one or two heavy or thundery showers during the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Greater than 90%

Low cloud and visibility

A little cloud is possible over the highest windward ground early and late, perhaps also in shower activity, otherwise no impediments to visibility.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast