Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a more unsettled interlude for the next few days. Lower for exact timing of precipitation and cloud bases.
This evening forecast
Any lingering heavy showers will slowly ease during the evening. Some sunny spells during the evening. Thereafter mostly dry, with clear spells and any cloud above the hilltops. Visibility generally good, with distant hills visible, but temporary sharp drops possible in any evening heavy showers.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Wet and windy during the morning, becoming drier and brighter later.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | 30% | 40% | 90% | 70% | 30% | <05% | 10% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
14
|
SW
18
|
SW
22
|
SW
22
|
W
24
|
W
24
|
W
21
|
W
18
|
| 300m |
SW
7
|
SW
11
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
W
17
|
W
18
|
W
16
|
W
12
|
| Valley |
SW
4
|
SW
8
|
SW
11
|
SW
15
|
SW
15
|
W
17
|
W
14
|
W
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 20 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 36 | 37 | 32 | 28 |
| 300m | 17 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 34 | 37 | 32 | 27 |
| Valley | 14 | 20 | 24 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 27 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
2,000m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A day of two halves. Feeling chilly during the morning in the rain with the strong winds, especially at height. However, moderate UV levels are likely in the afternoon in sunny spells, so suncream is also recommended.
Weather
Cloud thickening through the early hours, with outbreaks of rain moving east through the morning and cloud lowering onto hilltops. Perhaps some heavier bursts of rain during the morning. Becoming windy. Rain clearing in the early afternoon, leaving a drier afternoon with sunny spells. Still the chance of an isolated shower during the afternoon, however.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90% during the early hours, lowering to 20% around dawn. Becoming 90% again during the early afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility mostly good in the early hours, but becoming moderate or poor in rain during the early morning with nearby hills sometimes obscured. Very poor in low cloud on hills during the morning with bases 300-400m, and nearby landmarks obscured. Becoming generally good in the early afternoon with distant hills clearly visible, although brief temporary deteriorations are possible in showers, with cloud lowering onto the summits.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6mm | 1.8mm | 2.6mm |
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
Remaining mostly cloudy in the early hours, perhaps with some drizzle on western slopes. More persistent rain then arriving once again around dawn. Some heavy bursts are possible, before the rain clears by mid-afternoon. Some late afternoon and evening sunny spells then likely. Windy again.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% during the early hours, lowering to 30% around dawn. Becoming 90% during the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly or Southwesterly 25-30 mph, gusting 40-45 mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 6 Celsius
- Valley Plus 6 Celsius, becoming plus 15 Celsius during the afternoon.
- Freezing level Above the hills
Low cloud and visibility
Visibility moderate or poor in rain during the morning with nearby hills sometimes obscured. Very poor in low cloud on hills during the morning with bases down to 500m, and nearby landmarks obscured. Becoming generally good during the afternoon with distant hills clearly visible.
Mountain weather information
Fri 27 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry day with sunny spells, and cloud above the hilltops. Fresh northwesterly winds easing later. Freezing level above the hilltops.
Sat 28 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another dry day with sunny spells, and cloud mostly above the hilltops. Light to moderate northwesterly winds. Freezing level above the hilltops.
Sun 29 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with sunny spells, but a risk of the odd shower. Freezing level above the hilltops. Light northerly or northwesterly winds.
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.
The National Park lies within the county boundaries of historic Yorkshire with much of the landscape consisting of limestone country; lush green valleys known locally as 'dales' crested with white limestone cliffs known as 'scars'. Hidden beneath these hills and peaks is an underground world of caves and potholes with stalactites and stalagmites, cathedral sized chambers, underground rivers and waterfalls.
A gentler outlook awaits visitors in the Yorkshire Dales, compared to the much more imposing ranges of the Lake District. The tallest of the gentle rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales is Whernside, which reaches 736 metres. Known as the 'King of the Dales', Whernside may not be the tallest of mountains on offer in the UK, but still rewards those who make the journey with views that stretch for miles.
Walkers shouldn't be under the illusion that the Yorkshire Dales doesn't offer challenges for ardent mountain walkers. Instead, a 'Three Peaks Challenge', which takes in Whernside, Ingelborough and Pen-y-Ghent, sees walkers cover over 23 miles and almost 1,600 metres of ascent. The record for completing all three currently stands at around two and a half hours.