Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Peak District

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Confidence

High for general weather evolution, moderate for extent of heavy rain/low cloud on Wednesday and any showers later.

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

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.
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.
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.
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.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

A wet and windy start but clearing rapidly to a partly cloudy afternoon with a risk of isolated showers later. Winds easing.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 600m)
 Weather symbols Heavy Rain Sunny intervals Sunny Sunny Light rain showers Heavy rain showers (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 600m)
 Chance of precipitation
80%
20%
10%
10%
30%
50%

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 S 28mph knots
S
28mph
 SW 18mph knots
SW
18mph
 SW 18mph knots
SW
18mph
 S 19mph knots
S
19mph
 S 16mph knots
S
16mph
 S 15mph knots
S
15mph
300m
 300m S 22mph knots
S
22mph
 SW 15mph knots
SW
15mph
 S 16mph knots
S
16mph
 S 16mph knots
S
16mph
 S 11mph knots
S
11mph
 S 9mph knots
S
9mph
Valley
 Valley SE 14mph knots
SE
14mph
 SW 9mph knots
SW
9mph
 S 12mph knots
S
12mph
 S 12mph knots
S
12mph
 S 6mph knots
S
6mph
 SE 5mph knots
SE
5mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
 600m 36mph 23mph 24mph 26mph 25mph 22mph
300m
 300m 30mph 19mph 21mph 23mph 17mph 14mph
Valley
 Valley 31mph 17mph 22mph 23mph 16mph 14mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
 600m 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 14 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius
Valley
 Valley 16 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3500m
2500m
1800m
2200m
2300m
2200m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

After a poor start to the day, conditions rapidly improve across the park. Sunny spells lead to moderate UV levels, so sunscreen remains advisable whilst the risk of an isolated shower means packing a waterproof is sensible.

Weather

Extensive low cloud during the early morning with a band of rain crossing the area but soon clearing. Potential on the rain band for very heavy, blustery showers as the band clears to the east. From mid-morning, cloud will break and lift clear of summits to give a period of fine and dry weather before isolated, locally heavy, showers develop during the late afternoon and into the evening. Strong south-easterly winds initially gusting to 40-45 mph, small chance of gusting up to 50mph in exposed locations as the rain band passes. The wind turns south-westerly with gusts of up 30 mph during the afternoon.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

10% becoming 90% by the afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive low cloud down to 300-400m initially lowest in the south, lifting and breaking mid-afternoon to 800-1000m. Poor to very poor visibilities in hill fog and rain, becoming very good to excellent, although briefly moderate in showers that may form.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

The Peak District is home to a wide variety of magnificent hills, moors, outcrops and gritstone edges.

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