Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
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
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 40% | 90% |
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
27
|
SW
23
|
SW
22
|
SW
19
|
SW
13
|
S
12
|
| 300m |
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
7
|
S
6
|
| Valley |
SW
12
|
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
SW
12
|
SW
5
|
S
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 35 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 18 | 18 |
| 300m | 32 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 17 | 16 |
| Valley | 27 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 14 | 15 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Warm waterproof layers will be essential, and be prepared for rather strong winds. UV levels will also increase in the midday sunshine.
Weather
Variable amounts of cloud with some clear then sunny intervals but also occasional showers moving through. Drier for a time in morning and despite some warm sunshine, it will be cold in the strong winds, especially at height, with noticeable wind chill effect. Outbreaks of rain, sometimes heavy arriving during the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% at first becoming 90% or more by mid-morning, reducing again in evening to 50%.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of broken cloud will obscure hills and routes above 600m, before lifting and breaking during the early morning with all hills likely clear by mid-morning. Cloud lowering again in evening rain with broken to overcast bases around 500-600m developing. Outside of cloud, visibility will be mostly good or very good, but lowering in passing showers and evening rain, and becoming poor or very poor in cloud.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 10.4mm | 16.7mm | 17.1mm |
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
Cloudy with occasional rain and some drizzle for much of Friday morning. Drier, brighter and showery weather arriving from the west after lunch (midday), with drier conditions in the afternoon and early evening, perhaps more frequent shower during the late evening. Strong southerly winds, becoming south-westerly post rain.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in the morning becoming 90% or more from early to mid-afternoon onwards, 60% by nightfall.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southwest with gusts across summits reaching 35-40mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 4 degrees Celsius rising to Plus 10 degrees Celsius.
- Valley Plus 6 degrees Celsius rising to Plus 13 degrees Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Broken to overcast bases 500-600m in the morning breaking and lifting above summits early to mid-afternoon. Visibility moderate or poor in morning rain and drizzle and very poor in cloud before then becoming mostly good or very good mid-afternoon onwards.
Mountain weather information
Sat 18 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A bright day with some sunshine and chance of a shower, perhaps heavy in the afternoon. Strong, cold westerly summit winds.
Sun 19 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Some low cloud covering summits in early hours with variable cloud and some bright or sunny spells. Winds easing light west or northwesterly.
Mon 20 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Probably another similar day to Sunday with winds becoming light north or northeasterly, and mostly dry weather with variable cloud amounts and some clear or sunny spells.
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 Yorkshire Dales National Park covers an area of 683 square miles and is a collection of rivers, valleys and hills.