Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a cloudy and wet couple of days, before turning colder from the north on Thursday. Low confidence for the timing of any transition from rain to snow, and also extent of any snow Thursday and Friday. High confidence for a dry, but cold day Saturday, before milder air spreads east overnight. Moderate confidence for the timing of this, but low with the precipitation detail, including extent of any snowfall early Sunday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Largely overcast, wet, and feeling cold. Perhaps drier later in the south.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
E
14
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
| 300m |
NE
11
|
E
8
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
NE
7
|
NE
10
|
| Valley |
NE
12
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
7
|
NE
8
|
NE
12
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 21 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
| 300m | 22 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 19 |
| Valley | 21 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,400m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
With higher routes largely shrouded in cloud, good navigation skills will be required. Along with the rain, it will also be feeling sub-zero on the tops despite relatively light winds, so warm waterproof layers will be essential.
Weather
Overcast, with many hill summits obscured with cloud and rain and drizzle for much of the day. Rain will be mostly light, but with some heavier bursts, especially during the morning. The best chance of any drier intervals later in the day in the south.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Near zero in the east, 30% in the west.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud will obscure summits and routes above 500m in the east, and potentially down to 300m during rain and drizzle. Some breaks possible in the west, with cloud bases more generally around 600m. Visibility will be moderate to poor, although drier intervals could allow for some good views to develop, mainly later.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 7.9mm | 8.5mm | 9.3mm |
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
Cloudy with rain turning to snow above 700m during the morning, but also breaking up into showers, with some drier intervals. The snow level will continue to fall through the afternoon and evening, down to around 200m by midnight, however precipitation will ease as this occurs. Some afternoon brighter or sunny spells possible.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% becoming 80% during the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northeasterly 20mph gust 30mph
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 1 Celsius at first, falling to Minus 2 Celsius by the afternoon.
- Valley Plus 3 Celsius rising to Plus 5 Celsius
- Freezing level Just above summits at first, falling to 500m by the afternoon, and 300m by the evening.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread cloud obscuring routes above 500m during the morning. Cloud breaking and clearing from most summits through the afternoon, but further patches possible above 500m during any showers. Visibility will be moderate to poor, and turning very poor on the summits in any snow.
Mountain weather information
Fri 13 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cold start, with higher routes frozen with the freezing level below 200m. Cloudy start, perhaps the odd snow showers. Cloud breaking to give some sunny spells later, but staying cold.
Sat 14 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Icy start, with freezing level below 200m, but largely dry. Some sunshine likely, before higher cloud moves in through the afternoon. Staying dry.
Sun 15 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Wet, windy at first, with some transitory snow likely. This clearing to sunny spells and isolated showers. Freezing level soon rising above most routes through the morning, and all summits later.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.