Mountain weather

Mountain weather

Yorkshire Dales

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Confidence

Low for rate of eastward progression of rain and interspersed showers Friday and Saturday, higher for developing dry and very warm conditions later in the weekend. Low for thunderstorm risk into new working week.

Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

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.

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.
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.
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.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Cloud and rain making hesitant progress eastwards, driest and brightest in the east. Generally humid.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Cloudy Cloudy Sunny intervals Light rain Heavy rain showers Heavy rain showers
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
10%
10%
20%
40%
50%
70%

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 S 23mph knots
S
23mph
 SW 22mph knots
SW
22mph
 SW 24mph knots
SW
24mph
 SW 20mph knots
SW
20mph
 SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
 SW 16mph knots
SW
16mph
300m
 300m SE 5mph knots
SE
5mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 SW 17mph knots
SW
17mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 SW 10mph knots
SW
10mph
 SW 10mph knots
SW
10mph
Valley
 Valley S 6mph knots
S
6mph
 S 11mph knots
S
11mph
 SW 14mph knots
SW
14mph
 SW 11mph knots
SW
11mph
 SW 8mph knots
SW
8mph
 SW 7mph knots
SW
7mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
 600m 30mph 28mph 32mph 27mph 23mph 23mph
300m
 300m 13mph 26mph 32mph 25mph 21mph 22mph
Valley
 Valley 19mph 23mph 30mph 24mph 20mph 17mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
600m
 600m 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 15 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius
Valley
 Valley 17 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3100m
3100m
3000m
3300m
3200m
2900m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Feeling warm and humid, despite the breeze and the gradual ingress of rain.

Weather

Mainly fine during the early hours, although west-facing ground should see extensive low cloud. Brightest early on in the east, with cloud amounts generally increasing as the day progresses and the cloud lifts above the higher ground. Driest for longest in eastern parts, with the ingress of spells of rain and some showery bursts gradual from the west, but likely culminating in a period of heavier rain and perhaps thundery showers into the evening more widely. Humidity will be high which could make strenuous activities more arduous.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

Near-nil in western parts at first, 40% in east. Improving to 70% generally by afternoon as cloud rises clear of the summits.

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive low cloud to 300 metres in the west especially first thing, more broken in the east, rising clear of the highest ground by lunchtime. Visibility improving to good generally for a time, but deteriorating later in the day as rain becomes more pervasive.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

The Yorkshire Dales National Park covers an area of 683 square miles and is a collection of rivers, valleys and hills.

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