Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for east to southeast flow persisting and summits often obscured by cloud. High for further rain throughout much of the period, with snow at height. However, any details, including snow levels and timing of any drier intervals, remain low confidence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with occasional snow and rain. Severe wind chill. Windy
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 30% | 40% | 60% | 70% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
E
27
|
E
29
|
E
27
|
E
22
|
E
22
|
E
17
|
| 300m |
E
20
|
NE
20
|
NE
18
|
E
20
|
NE
16
|
NE
9
|
| Valley |
E
16
|
E
18
|
E
15
|
E
17
|
E
15
|
E
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 34 | 37 | 36 | 30 | 30 | 24 |
| 300m | 26 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 25 | 16 |
| Valley | 33 | 37 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
-3°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Be prepared for winter conditions with snow and a severe chill. Low cloud and snow will also bring some very difficult navigation conditions.
Weather
Cloudy, but mostly dry start. Occasional outbreaks of snow and rain then spreading north through the morning. These mainly focused across eastern areas, where they could persist for much of the afternoon and evening. Snow level around will be around 400m, and blustery winds could bring some brief blizzard conditions, although these winds are likely to ease throughout the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% in the east, 30% in the west.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will be extensive, obscuring hills above 500m. Any spells of more persistent rain or snow could be accompanied by cloud lowering to obscure hills down to 300m. Visibility will be Moderate to poor in the rain and very poor in snow, and falling to near zero with any temporary blizzard conditions.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8mm | 2.1mm | 11.7mm |
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
Dull start with any snow turning to rain across at all levels during the early hours. Mist and fog patches also likely at lower levels. Rain soon clearing, to leave a mostly dry but cloudy day, although a few light outbreaks of drizzle remain possible. Cloud will gradually break and lift through the afternoon as the winds also strengthen. Perhaps the odd brighter spell later, mainly in the south.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at first, then 40% by the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 20mph gusting 30-35mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Minus 1 Celsius rising Plus 4 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius rising to Plus 8 Celsius
- Freezing level 400m rising above summits by dawn.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud will be extensive, obscuring hills above 400m through the morning, and some areas could see fog patches obscuring routes to valley floors. Cloud lifting and breaking, to become 500m by the afternoon with the odd break possible, mainly in the south. Visibility will be moderate to good, but poor in any drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but turning colder again, with brisk east to southeasterly winds. Periods of rain, snow above 500m, becoming persistent, especially across eastern hills. Freezing level falling to 500m.
Fri 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another cold and cloudy day, with periods of rain and snow above 400m and brisk winds. Precipitation perhaps turning persistent for some eastern hills. Freezing level 400m
Sat 7 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Staying unsettled with further rain, perhaps brief snow on the tops early on. Freezing levels are likely to rise a little compared to previous days, to be above summit level by the end of the day.
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.