Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Peak District

Confidence

High for a day of heavy showers and Thursday, and moderate for these to occasionally turn thundery with hail. Confidence in the location and persistence of any heavier rain and subsequently any low cloud remain low however. Also high confidence for showers to be less frequent on Friday, with a general drier and more settled feel to conditions into the weekend. High confidence for staying rather cool.

Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

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.

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.

Mountain weather forecast

Cloudy with heavy showers, perhaps thundery. Cool.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Heavy Rain Thunderstorm Light rain showers Light rain showers Sunny intervals Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
60%
60%
60%
60%
30%
30%

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 SW 8mph knots
SW
8mph
NW 7mph knots
NW
7mph
NE 15mph knots
NE
15mph
NE 15mph knots
NE
15mph
N 11mph knots
N
11mph
NE 11mph knots
NE
11mph
300m
300m SW 6mph knots
SW
6mph
NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
N 8mph knots
N
8mph
NE 11mph knots
NE
11mph
N 8mph knots
N
8mph
NE 7mph knots
NE
7mph
Valley
Valley SW 5mph knots
SW
5mph
NW 4mph knots
NW
4mph
N 7mph knots
N
7mph
N 10mph knots
N
10mph
N 5mph knots
N
5mph
NE 5mph knots
NE
5mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 10mph 9mph 21mph 21mph 15mph 16mph
300m
300m 8mph 7mph 12mph 17mph 12mph 12mph
Valley
Valley 8mph 7mph 16mph 19mph 12mph 14mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 9 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 11 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 12 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
2200m
2200m
2300m
2200m
2000m
1900m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

A poor start to the day with difficult navigation, and the potential to be caught in a thunderstorm. Improving during the afternoon but a day to be prepared for most eventualities, with adequate waterproofs, layers and sunscreen as required.

Weather

Often cloudy, with showers, heavy at times and with thunder and hail possible. These perhaps more extensive and persistent during the morning, but becoming more scattered, with some sunny spells developing during the afternoon. Showers then easing into the evening. Feeling cool in light northerly winds.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

30% until the afternoon, then becoming 90%

Low cloud and visibility

Areas of cloud will often obscure hills above 500m during the morning, with some heavier bursts of rain leading to some patches as low as 400m. Some breaks are likely, even across highest hills. This cloud then lifts into the afternoon, rising above most tops, with just the odd patch perhaps returning above 600m with the heaviest showers. Outside of cloud and showers, good to very good views are to be found but spells of moderate to poor visibility are expected during any heavier bursts.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast