Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather pattern, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Scattered wintry showers. Severe chill effect. Fresh to strong winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 80% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
W
23
|
W
26
|
W
27
|
W
27
|
W
23
|
W
19
|
| 300m |
W
17
|
W
23
|
W
23
|
NW
22
|
NW
18
|
W
13
|
| Valley |
W
11
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
NW
18
|
NW
13
|
W
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 28 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 30 | 25 |
| 300m | 23 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 25 | 19 |
| Valley | 24 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 26 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
500m
|
500m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Severe wind chill above 300m, increasing to become very significant severe chill over the summits.
Weather
Scattered showers of snow, sleet and rain, heavy at times from late morning with the risk of hail and thunder.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%
Low cloud and visibility
Distant hills clearly visible but deteriorating to poor or very poor with showers and within cloud. Occasional bases 700m with showers, perhaps temporarily decreasing 500-600m with heaviest showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 8.7mm | 11.6mm | 21mm |
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
Dry but becoming cloudy overnight. Occasional light rain soon arriving after daybreak. Persistent rain, often heavy, then follows by late morning, with temporary sleet or snow initially across the summits. Rain clears southwards mid to late afternoon, with broken cloud and scattered showers following. These possibly turning heavy and wintry later.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% at dawn becoming 40% mid-morning, then 70% by early evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest mean 30mph with gusts reaching 45-50mph across exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 0 Celsius increasing 5 Celsius for the afternoon
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius increasing 9 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Distant hills clearly visible then decreasing to near-by hills with rain, and poor or very poor in snow and within cloud. Bases becoming extensive from 600-700m from mid-morning, before lifting and breaking later.
Mountain weather information
Mon 30 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Often cloudy with a few light showers. Strong winds gradually easing. Freezing level above the summits.
Tue 31 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Soon becoming cloudy with patchy light rain and hill fog. Light winds. Freezing level above the summits.
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional light rain. Widespread hill fog likely. Light winds. Freezing level above the summits.
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.