Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible. Confidence is high for severe winter conditions for the Peak District over the forecast period with accumulations of snow likely on Tuesday and widespread gales. Drier on Wednesday but remaining cold with strong winds at times.
This evening forecast
Outbreaks of precipitation (wintry above 500m) through the evening accompanied by strong winds. Very cold with a significant windchill expected. Accumulations of fresh snow started to build on the summits.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Wintry conditions, a period of snow or sleet is expected accompanied by strong winds or gales on the hills and bitterly cold with very poor visibility likely.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
60% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 40% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
29
|
E
31
|
E
37
|
E
32
|
SE
25
|
SE
20
|
S
22
|
S
22
|
| 300m |
SE
18
|
E
23
|
E
32
|
E
28
|
SE
21
|
SE
17
|
SE
17
|
S
16
|
| Valley |
E
11
|
E
16
|
E
21
|
E
20
|
E
14
|
SE
12
|
SE
11
|
S
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 39 | 41 | 49 | 42 | 35 | 28 | 33 | 32 |
| 300m | 28 | 33 | 46 | 42 | 34 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
| Valley | 25 | 35 | 45 | 43 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
600m
|
600m
|
500m
|
600m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A bitterly cold day with strong winds making walking progress difficult at height. Snow accumulations may also make walking difficult on the hills.
Weather
Light sleet and snow overnight will turn heavier during the morning, mostly falling as snow above 500m and likely to accumulate on the higher ground, best to prepare for full winter conditions for the higher peaks. Snow will be accompanied by gales and possible blizzard conditions on the highest summits with periods of very little visibility likely. Snow will turn to sleet or rain during the afternoon below 500m with some brighter spells possible and winds beginning to ease but making headway will be tricky on the higher hills.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% becoming almost zero, overcast cloud to low levels will accompany precipitation.
Low cloud and visibility
During the morning cloud layers may be above the summits but cloud will thicken and lower to around 3-400m and become overcast with very few breaks until late afternoon when cloud may begin to lift and clear with some brightness possible later in the day. Visibility will be moderate but becoming poor or very poor in wintry precipitation and visibility may become zero in any blizzards which may be very disorientating. Good navigation methods will be required in the poor conditions.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3mm | 59.3mm | 77.5mm |
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
Cloudy at first on Wednesday but mostly dry with some bright or sunny spells developing during the morning. Feeling very cold in fresh or strong southeasterly winds. Snow may make walking progress difficult at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% rising to 90%, cloud clearing during the morning, cloud may reform in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 15mph gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Zero Celsius.
- Valley Plus 1 rising to 5 Celsius.
- Freezing level 600m
Low cloud and visibility
Layers of scattered cloud above 500m in the morning will lift and clear with most tops becoming cloud free for a time during the day. Visibility moderate in the morning but becoming good.
Mountain weather information
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with the risk of some mist and fog in the morning, perhaps some light rain or snow in the afternoon. Fresh or strong southeasterly winds and freezing level around 600m.
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of light rain/sleet or snow, wintry above 500m fresh southeasterly winds.
Sat 31 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but mostly dry, risk of mist and fog and remaining cold with southeasterly winds continuing.
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.