Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for remaining unsettled, although a somewhat drier day Monday, but lower for details, especially from Tuesday. 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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Winds easing
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 60% | 70% | 70% | 20% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
10
|
S
10
|
S
11
|
S
6
|
SE
5
|
E
5
|
| 300m |
SW
5
|
S
4
|
S
6
|
S
4
|
E
3
|
E
4
|
| Valley |
S
5
|
S
2
|
S
4
|
S
2
|
SE
4
|
E
4
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 14 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| 300m | 12 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| Valley | 12 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Significant chill expected despite easing winds with extensive cloud around.
Weather
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, perhaps a little wet snow on the highest summits, the rain most persistent across southern hills, were the odd heavier burst is possible. The best of any drier, and perhaps brighter, interludes across more northern hills. The rain gradually becomes patchier through the afternoon and evening
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance across the south, but 40% for the north.
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above about 450-600m, with patches below, especially across southern and western fells, but northern fells seeing periods above 600-750m at times. Away from cloud visibility generally rather hazy in rain and perhaps poor in snow.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 8.3mm | 10.6mm | 10.7mm |
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 overnight with outbreaks of rain, and a little snow on highest summits. Then a rather cloudy day, especially for eastern hills where patchy rain likely, with perhaps a little snow on highest summits, the best of any brighter spells expected across more western hills, where it will be largely dry.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Around 25% in east but nearer 60% in the west
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 10mph or less increasing 20-25mph through the morning, with gusts around 40mph over ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 600m Around plus 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 or 3 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 6 or 7 Celsius by day
- Freezing level 900m
Low cloud and visibility
Periods or persistent cloud above 450-600m gradually becoming periods above 600-750m across eastern hills but occasional or periods above 600-750m for western hills. Away from cloud visibility rather hazy or good, falling to hazy in rain and perhaps poor in snow.
Mountain weather information
Tue 3 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with, especially in east, outbreaks of rain, sleet and increasingly snow, best of any brighter spells in west. Occasionally strong easterly winds, easing later. Freezing level falling to 600m.
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain and initially snow, some brighter, drier spells in west. Fresh easterly winds veering more southerly. Freezing level rising above the summits.
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and mostly dry. Strengthening easterly winds, summit gales possible. Freezing level 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.