Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Yorkshire Dales

Confidence

High for changeable weather to continue into the weekend. Moderate for rain and cloud detail, becoming low for the weekend.

Mountain hazards

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.

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.
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.
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

Cloudy and windy with showers, but also some drier spells.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Fog Heavy Rain Light rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Light rain
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
30%
40%
60%
60%
50%
40%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m W 20mph knots
W
20mph
SW 24mph knots
SW
24mph
SW 27mph knots
SW
27mph
W 27mph knots
W
27mph
W 29mph knots
W
29mph
W 28mph knots
W
28mph
300m
300m W 13mph knots
W
13mph
SW 16mph knots
SW
16mph
SW 20mph knots
SW
20mph
W 20mph knots
W
20mph
W 18mph knots
W
18mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
Valley
Valley SW 10mph knots
SW
10mph
SW 14mph knots
SW
14mph
SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 15mph knots
W
15mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 26mph 32mph 37mph 39mph 40mph 38mph
300m
300m 25mph 31mph 38mph 38mph 36mph 33mph
Valley
Valley 22mph 28mph 35mph 33mph 33mph 31mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 8 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 13 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
2400m
2200m
2300m
2400m
2300m
2200m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Strong winds at height will give difficult walking conditions, along with a chilling effect especially in showers. Gusts may reach 50mph on higher summits and exposed ridges. Waterproofs and warm layers likely to be needed.

Weather

Mostly cloudy with showers at times throughout the day, but some drier and brighter spells of weather too. One or two showers could be heavy with thunder. Windy.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

40% becoming 70% for the afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Areas of cloud at first with bases 500-700m, this lifting a little during the morning but cloud still lingering on higher summits into the afternoon, especially in or near heavier showers. Cloud lowest and most extensive across the west of the Park. Visibility good away from cloud and showers, but poor in heavier showers and very poor in low cloud covering the hills.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast