Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High rather unsettled through the coming days and a largely fine day on Thursday, but low for developments Friday and Saturday due to uncertainties over the track of a deep low, currently expected to move northeast across Northwest Scotland through Friday.
This evening forecast
Dry with clear spells at first but cloud increasing through the evening with patchy rain and drizzle possible across western hills towards midnight. Occasionally strong northwesterly winds easing.
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.
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.
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 morning with patchy rain and drizzle. Brighter afternoon
| 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) |
10% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 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 |
W
15
|
W
16
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
17
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
W
10
|
| 300m |
W
6
|
W
6
|
W
5
|
W
9
|
W
12
|
W
12
|
W
9
|
W
6
|
| Valley |
W
2
|
W
2
|
NW
2
|
W
5
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
6
|
SW
3
|
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 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 16 |
| 300m | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 14 |
| Valley | 11 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Temperatures in valleys rising to plus 14 or 15 Celsius but still feeling cold on the higher summits.
Weather
Cloudy through the early hours, perhaps a few clearer spells in the east, with, especially across western parts, patchy rain and drizzle. Then a mostly cloudy start with patchy rain and drizzle, mainly across western hills, with some brighter spells in the east, which develop more widely for the afternoon with most places becoming dry.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance at first in west and around 25% in east becoming nearer 90% in the afternoon. Chances fall again later in the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud, but more occasional at times in east, above about 450-600m, with patches below becoming occasional above about 750m during the afternoon, cloud increasing again later in the evening. Away from cloud visibility good falling to several kilometres at times in rain and drizzle.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 10.6mm | 17.8mm | 18.6mm |
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 with patchy rain and drizzle in west, but some clear or sunny spells through the morning and early afternoon in east. Cloud developing more widely through the afternoon with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain developing for the late afternoon and evening, the rain becoming patchier towards midnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 60% in the east until mid-afternoon, otherwise close to zero.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 10-15mph increasing 20mph for the afternoon, veering more northwesterly towards midnight.
Temperature
- At 600m Around plus 6 or 7 Celsius, falling to plus 3 Celsius towards midnight
- Valley Plus 5 or 6 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 12 or 13 Celsius by day
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above about 600-750m, but more occasional above 750m at times in east, until mid-afternoon then cloud lowering to 450-600m, with patches below. Away from cloud visibility good or very good falling to several kilometres in rain and drizzle.
Mountain weather information
Thu 2 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry through daylight hours with good sunny spells, but cloud and outbreaks of rain spreading east in evening. Mainly light winds. Freezing level falling to around 600m, rising above summits later.
Fri 3 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasionally heavy rain, clearing to sunny spells and showers in afternoon. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Sat 4 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright start but cloud and rain, perhaps summit snow, soon spreading northeast. Winds becoming mainly light. Freezing level falling to 600m overnight then rising to just above the summits through the day.
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.