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 unsettled, cold and windy conditions throughout this period. Lower for daily rain and snow details, especially from Tuesday.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy, cold with a few light wintry showers. Sleet or snow and strong winds arriving in the evening.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
40% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 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 |
E
12
|
SE
14
|
SE
17
|
SE
17
|
SE
19
|
SE
20
|
| 300m |
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
12
|
SE
13
|
SE
12
|
SE
13
|
| Valley |
SE
4
|
SE
8
|
SE
11
|
SE
10
|
SE
13
|
E
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 17 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 30 |
| 300m | 17 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 30 |
| Valley | 12 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 27 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A bitterly cold day at all heights with a severe wind chill. Winds will strengthen through the day with gusts of 40 to 50mph during the evening on the tops making progress arduous and perhaps affecting balance at times. Note the significant deterioration in conditions during the evening.
Weather
Cloudy across the Yorkshire Dales with a few light wintry showers, mainly in the morning, then a mostly dry afternoon. Persistent rain, with sleet and snow above 400m, arriving from the west during the evening, perhaps occasionally heavy late evening, giving a low risk of blizzards. Winds strengthening during the day with gales on the tops in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% becoming 60% in afternoon, then becoming 10% in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud above 400 or 500m lifting a little in the afternoon, but giving very poor visibility. Away from low cloud, visibility generally moderate to good with brief reductions to a few km in showers. Cloud thickening above 400m in the evening, with visibility becoming mostly poor or very poor in cloud and snow, with the low risk of whiteout in blizzards.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 6mm | 6.2mm | 8.3mm |
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
Snow will become persistent and heavy by morning with some significant falls and drifting expected on the tops, but falling as rain or sleet below 300m, then below 600m by midday. Drier conditions arriving later in the afternoon with a few showers, perhaps wintry on summits. Severe conditions in storm force winds and blizzards, especially in the morning.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil in morning becoming 60% later in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 45-55mph gusts 70mph in the morning, decreasing 30mph gusts 50mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Minus 1C rising to Plus 2C in afternoon.
- Valley Plus 1C rising to 4C in afternoon.
- Freezing level 300m rising above summits in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud above 400-500m in the morning with blowing snow and white-out conditions likely, then cloud lifting and breaking later in the afternoon. Outside of low cloud, visibility poor or very poor in the morning - down to a few km or less, then good at times in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Wed 28 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showery rain and summit sleet clearing overnight then a mainly dry day with bright spells. Cold but with southeasterly winds easing. Freezing level near or just above summits.
Thu 29 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and cold with showery outbreaks of sleet or snow, falling as rain below 400m. Fresh to strong east winds. Freezing level falling to 500m.
Fri 30 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain, sleet and snow. Strong winds may ease through the day. Freezing level 600m.
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.