Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for turning wet and windy Thursday, and also for extensive cloud. Timing of heaviest rain and any clearer summits is low confidence on Friday, along with the strength of the wind. Confidence in any details remains low into the weekend and beyond, however confidence is high for the changeable and occasionally wet and windy weather to continue. Confidence also high for freezing levels to be above the summit level.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Rain turning persistent and occasionally heavy from mid-morning. Summit gales.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 30% | 50% | 90% | >95% | 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 |
SW
28
|
SW
29
|
SW
31
|
SW
30
|
SW
30
|
SW
24
|
| 300m |
SW
20
|
SW
22
|
SW
23
|
SW
22
|
SW
23
|
SW
18
|
| Valley |
SW
10
|
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
13
|
SW
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 35 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 33 |
| 300m | 27 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 28 |
| Valley | 26 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,700m
|
2,000m
|
1,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong winds will lead to it feeling around freezing on the summits, especially with any rain later in the day. Warm, waterproof layers will be essential.
Weather
Cloudy but mostly dry morning, though perhaps the odd spot of rain in western hills. Rain then spreading to all parts from mid-afternoon, turning persistent and occasionally heavy by the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% falling to 30% through the late afternoon and evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud will be largely above the summits, but with the odd patch perhaps obscuring routes above 500m through the morning. Cloud thickening and lowering during the afternoon, becoming extensive at 600m with the odd patch potentially down to 400m during any heavier bursts of rain. Outside of cloud visibility will be Moderate, but poor in rain and drizzle.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1mm | 1.6mm | 11.2mm |
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
Outbreaks of rain possible for much of the day, perhaps heavy through the afternoon and evening. Mostly cloudy, but some brighter intervals possible, mainly in the north at first, and later in the south.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% with best chances in the north, becoming 40% with best chance in the south by the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 15-25mph
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 7 Celsius
- Valley Plus 9 Celsius rising to Plus 14 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud will obscure summits above 500m through the day, but some patches are possible down to 300m. Also some periods of clear summits likely, but these unreliable with the potential for cloud to suddenly return. Moderate to good visibility, but falling to poor with any rain, especially any heavier bursts.
Mountain weather information
Sat 28 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud slowly breaking, with a mixture of drier intervals, but also further outbreaks of rain. These heavy at times during the morning. Freezing levels above summits but feeling cooler in fresh winds.
Sun 1 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but mostly dry, although some rain cannot be ruled out. Winds becoming strong, with gales across high ridges and summits. Freezing level above summits.
Mon 2 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with further rain possible, heavy at times. Strong winds gradually easing. Freezing level above 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.