Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High through Friday, but reducing into Saturday particularly around the timing of peak wind speeds.
This evening forecast
Cloud will continue to thicken and gradually lower through the evening from the west, falling near the higher tops towards the end of the period. This combining with increasingly persistent outbreaks of light to moderate rain into the evening and freshening southerly or south-westerly winds. Poor visibility increasingly likely at height.
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.
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.
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.
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
Outbreaks of rain through the first half of the day. Brighter later.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
>95% | >95% | >95% | 80% | 60% | 40% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
S
24
|
S
25
|
SW
27
|
W
25
|
W
26
|
W
24
|
W
20
|
W
17
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
S
13
|
SW
17
|
W
19
|
W
17
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
W
10
|
| Valley |
S
10
|
S
10
|
SW
16
|
SW
14
|
W
13
|
W
13
|
W
9
|
W
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 31 | 32 | 36 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 27 | 25 |
| 300m | 25 | 29 | 35 | 36 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 26 |
| Valley | 26 | 28 | 34 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
3°
|
6°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,100m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
900m
|
800m
|
700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-4°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A poor start to the day at height. Conditions generally improving into the afternoon but note the risk of showers and a persistent cooler feel as winds only slowly ease
Weather
Overcast and windy overnight and into Friday morning, with outbreaks of rain continuing on and off. Brighter spells likely into the late morning and early afternoon as rain tends to clear, but any brightness perhaps interrupted by some locally heavy spells of rain and fresh gusty winds. More reliably bright into the later afternoon and becoming generally dry, although the odd shower remains a threat and these tuning increasingly wintry at height as freezing levels fall. Winds steadily easing into the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% during Friday morning, improving up to 60% into the late morning and early afternoon and 80% by late afternoon and evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud with bases locally 300-500metres overnight and into Friday morning. Low cloud becoming increasingly broken up into the late morning and early afternoon, and rising to generally clear all summits by late afternoon and evening outside of showers. Visibility moderate or poor in rain and very poor within cloud initially, but improving to generally very good later in the afternoon and into the evening outside of showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.7mm | 1.8mm | 1.9mm |
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
Some patchy rain and low cloud likely into the early afternoon but generally a bright and increasingly breezy day as winds steadily increase. Further spells of rain and some very strong winds likely into the evening as Storm Dave crosses the north of the UK.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Generally 80% but lowering to 50% for a time during the early afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
South-easterly 15-20mph gusting 20-25mph initially, increasing through the afternoon from the south-southwest to mean 35-40mph gusting 45-55mph by the evening.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 1C rising to plus 8C.
- Valley Plus 2C rising to Plus 11C
- Freezing level 400-600m to start, rising above all summits through the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally above summits but lowering to perhaps 500-600m for a time early afternoon giving some locally poor visibility at height
Mountain weather information
Sun 5 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overnight rain clearing to leave sunny spells with a few showers possible. Windy at first, but winds generally easing through the day. Freezing level 600-800m.
Mon 6 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry with sunny spells, lighter southerly winds but remaining breezy. Freezing level rising above all summits.
Tue 7 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another bright day but freshening south-easterly winds will bring the risk of a shower into the afternoon. Freezing level above summits.
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.