Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
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. High confidence for an unsettled period with spells of rain, low cloud, and strong winds. Also high for some summit snow at times, however the timing and the height of any snow-line remains low confidence. Moderate confidence for most hills seeing drier conditions on Wednesday.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
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
Rain, with snow above 400m. Strong winds will lead to a significant chill effect.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
70% | 90% | 90% | 80% | 20% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
E
32
|
E
33
|
E
26
|
SE
20
|
SE
21
|
S
18
|
| 300m |
E
17
|
E
19
|
E
17
|
E
14
|
SE
15
|
S
11
|
| Valley |
E
18
|
E
19
|
E
16
|
E
14
|
SE
11
|
S
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 43 | 43 | 36 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
| 300m | 43 | 46 | 40 | 33 | 34 | 25 |
| Valley | 43 | 47 | 38 | 32 | 27 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
500m
|
700m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Rain will be persistent at low levels through the morning, with snow on the summits. Alongside severe gales, and spells of near-zero visibility on the tops, full winter skills and appropriate equipment will be required.
Weather
Rain, with snow above 400m, will continue through the morning and is likely to accumulate on the higher ground. Snow will be accompanied by gales with blizzards, only gradually easing through the afternoon. Perhaps the odd clearer spell developing after dark.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% becoming almost zero during the morning. Improving to 60% during the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud obscuring hills above 400m during the morning, and down to 300m at times. Cloud breaking and clearing from the southwest during the evening, but some patches persisting at 600m. Visibility will be moderate but becoming poor or very poor in wintry precipitation and visibility may become zero in any blizzards.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 6mm | 6.2mm |
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
Cold with most hills frozen to start, along with some valley mist or fog. A day of variable cloud and some brighter spells follows. Likely staying dry for much of the day, although the odd shower cannot be ruled out. Valley mist and fog quickly reforming in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% rising to 90%
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 10mph gusts 20-30mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 1 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 1 Celsius rising to 5 Celsius.
- Freezing level 700m
Low cloud and visibility
Scattered cloud at 500m through the morning. While this will lift to mainly cover hills above 700m later in the day, cloud could also become more extensive for a time, mainly in the southeast. Some poor visibility at low levels due to valley fog. Visibility moderate in the morning but becoming good or very good. Falling to moderate again in any showers.
Mountain weather information
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy, especially across eastern hills, where routes above 500m could be obscured until after midday. Rain spreading east after dark. Windy. Freezing level 600m
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of light rain, briefly snow across the tops. Rain most likely early in the day, and again after dark. Perhaps some brighter spells through the afternoon. Freezing level 600m, rising above summits.
Sat 31 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining changeable, with periods of rain interspersed with some drier intervals, and cloud occasionally obscuring tops. Freezing level above the tops.
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.