Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Peak District

Confidence

High confidence in the overall weather but precise shower detail and timing remains lower confidence.

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.
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

Heavy showers with a chance of hail and thunder Thursday afternoon and evening.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Cloudy Sunny intervals Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers Light rain showers (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
10%
30%
70%
70%
60%
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 N 9mph knots
N
9mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
N 11mph knots
N
11mph
NE 10mph knots
NE
10mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
NE 11mph knots
NE
11mph
300m
300m NW 6mph knots
NW
6mph
NW 9mph knots
NW
9mph
NW 9mph knots
NW
9mph
NW 7mph knots
NW
7mph
N 8mph knots
N
8mph
NW 7mph knots
NW
7mph
Valley
Valley NW 2mph knots
NW
2mph
NW 7mph knots
NW
7mph
NW 7mph knots
NW
7mph
NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
N 5mph knots
N
5mph
N 3mph knots
N
3mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 11mph 13mph 15mph 14mph 14mph 16mph
300m
300m 8mph 11mph 13mph 10mph 13mph 9mph
Valley
Valley 8mph 13mph 14mph 10mph 11mph 9mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m -2 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 2 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 4 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
800m
900m
1000m
1000m
1000m
900m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Frequent and locally heavy showers will bring a rather damp day with conditions perhaps becoming slippery under foot and quality waterproofs likely necessary. Feeling cold at height and a risk of hail and thunder. UV levels also high in any brighter spells.

Weather

A dry start likely with some sunny intervals. Scattered showers expected from late morning, these turning heavy, with the risk of hail and perhaps the odd rumble of thunder in the afternoon and early evening. Showers easing later. Feeling cold with a moderate northerly breeze.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

90%

Low cloud and visibility

There will be plenty of cloud in the afternoon, but this will generally be above the summits. Visibility will be good, but becoming moderate or poor in heavy showers.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast