Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Yorkshire Dales

Confidence

High confidence for a continuation of changeable conditions but lower confidence for cloud and rainfall detail, and timing of rain/shower bands.

Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

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.

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.
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.
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.
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

Heavy showers with a risk of hail and thunder.

Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Weather symbols Heavy Rain Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers Light rain showers (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
Chance of precipitation
70%
70%
70%
70%
60%
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 15mph knots
W
15mph
SW 20mph knots
SW
20mph
W 22mph knots
W
22mph
SW 25mph knots
SW
25mph
W 24mph knots
W
24mph
W 17mph knots
W
17mph
300m
300m W 9mph knots
W
9mph
W 13mph knots
W
13mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 17mph knots
W
17mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 8mph knots
W
8mph
Valley
Valley SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
W 9mph knots
W
9mph
SW 15mph knots
SW
15mph
W 16mph knots
W
16mph
W 12mph knots
W
12mph
W 5mph knots
W
5mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 20mph 26mph 30mph 34mph 33mph 26mph
300m
300m 19mph 24mph 30mph 32mph 30mph 21mph
Valley
Valley 11mph 19mph 27mph 30mph 24mph 16mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
600m 1 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius
300m
300m 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius
Valley
Valley 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1300m
1200m
1300m
1300m
1300m
1300m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Downpours will lead to a thorough soaking of clothing, with sturdy footwear and quality waterproofs highly recommended. Some paths may become blocked due to fast responding watercourses. Gusts around heavy showers may approach gale force especially over ridges and summits.

Weather

A band of showers or longer spells of rain, locally heavy, will be moving across the Park first thing. Staying unsettled, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers throughout the day. The showers will be locally heavy, with a risk of hail and thunder, especially in the afternoon.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

50% through the early hours, 80% through the day.

Low cloud and visibility

Cloud bases periodically down to 500-600m first thing and in showers, otherwise, above the summits through the day. Visibility will generally be good, but reducing to moderate to very poor in heavy, thundery showers.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast