Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled weather conditions, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions. Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible.
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.
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 outbreaks of rain arriving. Winds easing.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
60% | 40% | 40% | 60% | 80% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
17
|
SE
18
|
SE
18
|
SE
18
|
S
17
|
S
13
|
| 300m |
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
SE
12
|
SE
11
|
SE
10
|
S
7
|
| Valley |
SE
9
|
SE
9
|
SE
11
|
SE
10
|
SE
9
|
S
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 19 |
| 300m | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 16 |
| Valley | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 17 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
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°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
3°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Navigation particularly challenging in the quite extensive hill fog across the east of the park this morning.
Weather
Cloudy to overcast with outbreaks of rain, these mainly this afternoon, when the rain will turn heavy at times. Hill fog is likely to become more widespread through today.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% or less across eastern areas this morning, 40-60% across the west. This afternoon becoming generally 30-40%.
Low cloud and visibility
Very hazy or poor with rain, very poor with hill fog, otherwise generally hazy to good with distant hills visible. Scattered low cloud above 600-700m this morning for western areas, extensive above 200-300m for eastern areas. Becoming generally broken 500-600m this afternoon.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3mm | 2.4mm | 2.4mm |
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
Overcast with spells of rain overnight, through the morning and afternoon, sometimes heavy and with a chance of sleet on the highest summits. Through the evening dry conditions spread east, with cloud breaks probably developing.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% across western areas, 40-50% across eastern areas improving 80-90% through the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or southeast 20-25 mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 3 increasing 8 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Very hazy or poor with rain or sleet, very poor with hill fog, otherwise generally hazy to good with distant hills visible then improving very good to excellent. Broken to overcast low cloud above 500-600m in the west and broken cloud above 600-700m in the east. Then low cloud mostly clearing through the evening.
Mountain weather information
Mon 2 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with extensive hill fog, mainly dry. Strengthening south or southeast winds.
Tue 3 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overcast with extensive hill fog, and spells of rain and summit sleet or snow, occasionally heavy. Strong winds at first, then easing.
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Probably cloudy with spells of rain, extensive hill fog, and winds increasing strong to gale force.
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.