Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for general developments. Medium for cloud details.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
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
Rain then heavy snow showers. Very windy with severe wind chill.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
90% | 80% | 30% | 60% | 60% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SW
50
|
W
52
|
W
47
|
W
47
|
W
48
|
W
47
|
| 600m |
SW
41
|
W
42
|
W
38
|
W
38
|
W
38
|
W
38
|
| 300m |
SW
12
|
W
14
|
W
16
|
W
15
|
W
16
|
W
16
|
| Valley |
SW
11
|
W
12
|
W
17
|
W
16
|
W
17
|
W
18
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 60 | 62 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 60 |
| 600m | 52 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 53 | 53 |
| 300m | 38 | 42 | 41 | 41 | 43 | 43 |
| Valley | 35 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 41 | 43 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
4°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,200m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
700m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-8°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
7°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Note the wind speeds and wind chill at height. Gusts of around 70mph expected over the summits by evening with buffeting and the risk of being blown over.
Weather
Lowering cloud and outbreaks of rain and drizzle early morning. Cloud beginning to lift and break from mid-morning, bright spells and heavy blustery showers during the afternoon, these turning to snow above 600m by dusk. Further heavy snow showers in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% early morning, rising to 70% during the day, but lowering significantly as the showers pass through.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud, base 300 to 600m early morning, the cloud then lifting and breaking near or above the summits by midday. However, falling significantly, base 500m or less as the heavy, blustery showers push through. Mostly moderate to very poor visibility overnight and early morning. Becoming mostly very good or excellent as the cloud lifts and breaks, but temporary blizzard and whiteout conditions as the heavy snow showers push through.
Ground conditions
Date: Friday 20 December. Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:00. Temperature: plus 2degC. Maximum wind speed 40.1mph. Wind chill: minus 3.9degC. Average wind speed: 25.2mph. Full report: Summits got another rinsing today as persistent rain and sleet spread through the park. The forecast was true, despite todays wind strength readings taken on Helvellyn summit being less than predicted, with cols and ridge low-points accelerating the wind speed into the 50's (mph) - meaning difficult walking. Tomorrows wind strength will be higher into gale and storm forces. Walking on the high fells will be treacherous. Very little snow remains with saturated footpaths easily turning to ice as temperatures likely fall. And if that wasn't enough, low cloud pivoting around 500m will provide challenging visibility with the need for accurate navigation. Please make every effort to keep safe if venturing out with full winter clothing and additional mountain safety kit (First aid kit, bivvi bag, bothy shelter, emergency clothing, head torch, map and compass and emergency food) This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Heavy snow showers overnight and during the morning with some drifting and whiteout conditions. The snow showers becoming well scattered through the afternoon and evening with sunny or clear spells developing.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% becoming 90% by dusk
Maximum wind speed expected
West or Northwest 40mph gusting 60mph with severe wind chill.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 to Minus 3 Celsius
- Valley Zero rising to Plus 6 Celsius
- Freezing level All levels rising to around 600m around the middle of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud around the summits overnight and during the morning, bases falling 400m or less in heavy snow showers. Cloud becoming well scattered or clear at times during the afternoon and evening. Visibility very poor in snow with white out conditions, but becoming mostly very good or excellent by the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Mon 23 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Clear and cold at first. Rain and snow developing, rain at all levels by evening with a thaw setting in. Moderate to fresh northwest, becoming southwest winds at height. Freezing most levels at first, rising above the summits by evening.
Tue 24 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional rain and drizzle. Fresh to strong southwesterly winds at height. Mild.
Wed 25 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy. Patchy rain and drizzle. Fresh to strong southwesterly winds at height. Mild.
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 Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.