Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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
Variable cloud and scattered showers. Windy over the summits.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 20% | 40% | 40% | 20% | 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
31
|
SW
26
|
SW
25
|
SW
26
|
SW
27
|
SW
26
|
| 300m |
SW
23
|
S
20
|
S
19
|
SW
19
|
SW
20
|
SW
19
|
| Valley |
SW
12
|
SW
11
|
S
12
|
SW
11
|
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 | 41 | 36 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 36 |
| 300m | 33 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Valley | 30 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,500m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing further to add.
Weather
Largely dry to start the day but scattered showers soon developing. Any showers may merge into longer outbreaks of rain during the afternoon, perhaps heavy at times. Windy at height with a significant wind chill.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 40%
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional or extensive cloud, base near or above the summits. Lowering 300 to 600m at times in and around any showers. Visibility mostly good or very good, but moderate to very poor in cloud and rain.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5.6mm | 6.1mm | 6.9mm |
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
Occasional showers overnight, then outbreaks of rain during the morning, heavy at times. The rain turning showery then dying out through the afternoon, perhaps wintry over the tops with the cloud lifting and breaking, clear spells in the evening with a touch of frost possible by midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% early and later, but 40% as rain pushes through.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 20 to 25mph with a significant wind chill.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 3 Celsius falling Minus 1 Celsius later
- Valley Plus 5 to 7 Celsius, falling 1 Celsius in the evening.
- Freezing level Above the summits falling 400m or less later
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional or extensive low cloud, base 300 to 600m through the morning and early afternoon, otherwise cloud near or above the summit. Visibility moderate to very poor in cloud and rain, but mostly very good later.
Mountain weather information
Wed 14 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and bright with a frost possible at first. Outbreaks of rain and snow in the evening. Strengthening southerly winds later. Freezing level 400 to 600m, but all levels at first.
Thu 15 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain and snow soon clearing to wintry showers. Freezing level typically near or above the summits, but 400 to 600m early and late in the period. Winds mainly moderate from the southwest.
Fri 16 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright or clear start. Rain and snow possibly developing later in the day. Freezing level near or below the summits. Light or moderate south becoming easterly winds.
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.