Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the generally unsettled weather, but lower confidence in the details of precipitation and wind, particularly on Friday.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Generally dry but cloudy, with a chance of showers in the afternoon.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | 10% | 20% | 60% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
S
13
|
S
17
|
S
18
|
S
16
|
S
16
|
S
16
|
| 300m |
S
7
|
S
7
|
S
9
|
S
9
|
S
9
|
S
10
|
| Valley |
S
7
|
S
7
|
S
9
|
S
8
|
S
8
|
SE
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 18 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 |
| 300m | 15 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Valley | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
It will feel much colder on the tops compared to down in the valleys, especially in low cloud, showers and gusty winds.
Weather
Any fog and low cloud slowly clearing through the morning to leave a generally dry day with plenty of cloud, and a small risk of showers in the afternoon, which may fall as sleet over the highest summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%, with the best chance in east.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud and fog above 500m, mainly across southern and western hills, with patches on lower slopes. Cloud patchier over more eastern hills. Outside of cloud, mostly good visibility, decreasing poor to moderate in any showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 20.9mm | 25.7mm |
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
Any low cloud or fog lingering through the morning. By mid-morning a band of rain will move in from the west, and may fall as snow above 400m. This will mostly clear through the evening. Cold overnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at first, becoming 70% in the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 25-35mph gusts 45-50mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 2C.
- Valley Plus 4C.
- Freezing level Above summits, falling to 700m through the morning.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud above 500 or 600m in the morning, this slowly clearing through the morning. Poor visibility at first, becoming generally moderate to good, though becoming poor in the rain.
Mountain weather information
Fri 5 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cold to start, with any low cloud or hill fog slowly clearing. Generally dry through the morning, with rain and strong winds spreading in from the west later afternoon and evening, with a spell of snow on the tops. Southeasterly gales developing at height. Freezing level 600m, rising above summits later.
Sat 6 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain. Mostly light winds. Freezing level above summits.
Sun 7 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining unsettled with further rain or showers and a chance of strong winds. Freezing level above summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.