Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the resumption of unsettled conditions over the next few days, but lower for rain and cloud detail.
This evening forecast
A dry evening with clear spells, allowing temperatures to drop. There is a risk of some patchy cloud developing, mainly in western parts of the Dales, with base around 400-500m. Visibility generally good, but very poor in any low cloud. Light winds.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry, bright start clouding over with a spell of rain. Then colder, blustery conditions with showers turning wintry on higher ground.
| 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) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | 10% | 60% | 30% | 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 |
SW
11
|
SW
12
|
SW
14
|
SW
20
|
W
20
|
W
22
|
W
20
|
W
17
|
| 300m |
SW
4
|
SW
6
|
SW
8
|
SW
13
|
W
16
|
W
17
|
W
15
|
W
11
|
| Valley |
SW
2
|
SW
4
|
SW
7
|
SW
11
|
W
12
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
W
8
|
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 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 28 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 26 |
| 300m | 10 | 12 | 16 | 24 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 23 |
| Valley | 9 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 30 | 26 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
7°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,800m
|
1,500m
|
1,700m
|
2,000m
|
1,100m
|
900m
|
700m
|
600m
|
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°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
3°
|
3°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Be prepared for a change in temperatures, as it turns much colder later in the day, with strengthening winds bringing a significant wind chill.
Weather
Dry during the early hours with patchy cloud in western parts, perhaps isolated valley fog patches in the east. Early sunny spells giving way to thicker cloud by late morning, with outbreaks of light rain clearing by mid-afternoon. Then turning colder, with the wind strengthening and isolated blustery showers moving through, these wintry above 500m, and with a low risk of turning thundery.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, becoming 80% during the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud, base 400-500m, at first. This tending to lift a little as the day goes on, but clearing completely during the afternoon with cloud bases mostly above summits except in any showers. Visibility generally good, but moderate to poor in rain or wintry showers and very poor in low cloud covering the hills.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 0mm | 0.2mm |
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
A chilly start. Dry but increasingly cloudy during the early hours and morning, although some hazy sunny spells are probable during the morning. Perhaps some outbreaks of light rain during the afternoon and evening. Initially light winds becoming strong later, with a risk of gales over the highest summits.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
95%
Maximum wind speed expected
South or southeast 20-30mph gusting 40-50mph during the late afternoon and evening.
Temperature
- At 600m Zero C becoming plus 3 C.
- Valley Zero C becoming plus 8 C.
- Freezing level 500m rising above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud generally above the hilltops, with mostly good or very good visibility expected, although distant hills may become slightly hazy later.
Mountain weather information
Sat 11 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early rain clearing to sunshine and isolated blustery showers, perhaps thundery and wintry later on highest summits. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level lowering near summits.
Sun 12 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and blustery showers, perhaps thundery. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising just above summits.
Mon 13 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers. Moderate southerly or southeasterly winds. Freezing level near or just 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.