Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled and changeable start, but lowering for the detail later in the period.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Showers or longer periods of snow and rain. Strong summit winds. Freezing level lifting.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
60% | 30% | 70% | 70% | 30% | 40% |
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
25
|
S
20
|
S
17
|
S
17
|
W
18
|
W
18
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
S
8
|
SE
7
|
S
10
|
W
10
|
W
11
|
| Valley |
S
6
|
S
6
|
S
7
|
S
8
|
W
6
|
W
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 34 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 300m | 27 | 20 | 17 | 25 | 23 | 25 |
| Valley | 23 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
300m
|
400m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
800m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-10°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-5°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
-1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds 10-15mph stronger than the speeds above across most exposed ridges and summits. Very difficult conditions at height in extensive hill fog, driving snow, severe wind chill and strong winds.
Weather
Risk of blizzard conditions at height at first. A cloudy day with occasional snow and rain, generally light and patchy through the morning, turning heavier for the afternoon. Snow to low levels at dawn lifting to the highest peaks from late morning. Frequent showers for the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25%
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility becoming generally poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8mm | 8.6mm | 10.6mm |
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
Rather cloudy by day with frequent showers, these wintry above around 600m. Fresh to strong summit winds, bringing a further severe wind chill at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%
Maximum wind speed expected
West to northwest 20-30mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across most exposed ridges and summits
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 1 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius increasing 6 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 700-800m
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility good becoming generally poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite frequently lowering 600m.
Mountain weather information
Tue 17 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Looking set to be the best day's weather of the forecast period with all expected to stay mostly dry and see plenty of winter sunshine coupled with light winds. Cold however with freezing level around 300m.
Wed 18 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Generally dry with some brighter spells, but strong easterly summit winds bringing a severe wind chill down to mid-levels as the freezing level stays around 300m.
Thu 19 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and occasionally bright. Freezing level lifting to around 500m. Fresh to strong easterly winds.
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.