Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a cold, initially windy and showery, day Monday but lower for cloud details Tuesday and timing of the rain Wednesday and details generally thereafter.
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.
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
Sunny spells with showers dying out. Strong winds easing
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 30% | 20% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
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
25
|
W
26
|
W
28
|
W
27
|
W
25
|
W
21
|
| 300m |
W
19
|
W
23
|
NW
23
|
NW
23
|
NW
17
|
NW
15
|
| Valley |
W
12
|
W
16
|
NW
18
|
NW
18
|
NW
12
|
W
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 31 | 33 | 36 | 36 | 33 | 30 |
| 300m | 25 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 24 | 22 |
| Valley | 27 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 25 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
800m
|
800m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gusts around 45mph over higher peaks slowly easing.
Weather
Clear spells and showers overnight, these perhaps wintry on the higher peaks. Then a bright, cold morning with sunny spells and further showers moving through quickly in the strong winds. The showers largely die out by early afternoon with more in the way of sunshine around before cloud increases through the evening, with perhaps a little light rain and drizzle developing in the west towards midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 60% becoming close to 100% by early afternoon, chances fall again towards midnight.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional or periods of cloud above about 600m through the morning then lifting above the summits for much of the afternoon, then becoming periods above 600m later in west. Away from cloud visibility very good, with some good panoramic views of surrounding hills, falling to several kilometres in showers and in rain and drizzle later in evening.
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
A mostly cloudy morning with outbreaks of mainly light rain and drizzle, especially for western hills with the best of any clearer or brighter spells across the east. It gradually becomes drier through the afternoon with cloud lifting and breaking
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance in west, but around 60% in east, through the morning improving to 90% through the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 15mph gradually easing and backing more southwesterly 10mph
Temperature
- At 600m Around plus 3 Celsius rising to plus 8 Celsius
- Valley Around plus 4 or 5 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 14 or 15 Celsius by day
- Freezing level Above the summits
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above 450-600m, with patches below, but more occasional above 600m at times in the east, generally lifting above the higher summits through the afternoon. Away from cloud visibility good falling to several kilometres in rain and drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Wed 1 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, perhaps heavy in the evening, becoming drier with clearer spells overnight. Fresh southwesterly winds turning northerly and easing. Freezing level above summits.
Thu 2 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with bright spells but chance outbreaks of rain may spread east in evening. Mainly light and variable winds. Freezing level falling to 600m for a time.
Fri 3 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud and any rain, perhaps with summit snow, easing then drier for a time but heavy rain may spread from the west later. Generally light and variable winds but a strengthening southerly wind later. Freezing level above the summits falling to 450m, rising later.
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.